Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has condemned the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for banning his new single, Tell Your Papa, from being aired on broadcast stations. He described the move as an attempt to suppress truth and silence constructive criticism.
In a memo dated April 9, 2025, the NBC announced the ban, citing violations of Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which prohibits the broadcast of materials deemed “objectionable.” The song was officially classified as “Not To Be Broadcast.”
Reacting on Thursday through his official Instagram account, Abdulkareem criticized the decision, calling it a politically-driven effort to stifle freedom of expression and silence dissenting voices. He further accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of being intolerant of criticism.
“NBC just banned my new single ‘Tell Your Papa’… It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government,” Abdulkareem wrote.
Abdulkareem compared the situation to the 2004 censorship of his protest anthem, Jaga Jaga, under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, questioning the nation’s democratic progress.
“This present government led by President Bola Tinubu is now going on record as one of the most insensitive, vindictive and grossly maleficent administration ever to preside over the affairs of Nigeria,” he added.
The artist further alleged that the NBC’s directive was a deliberate effort to shield the government from public accountability.
“They are instructing broadcast houses to shield the government by hiding the candle under the table… Any wonder why Nigeria hasn’t made impactful strides all these years? The conscience is an open wound, only the truth can heal it. Aluta Continua!” he noted.