Because of its "objectionable nature," the popular song "Tell Your Papa" by veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has been banned from airing on Nigerian radio and television stations. According to Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, the commission declared the track Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) in a memo dated April 9, 2025 and issued by Susan Obi, Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring.
This section prohibits content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency from being aired on Nigerian broadcast platforms.
According to the NBC, while the song has gained momentum across social media platforms, its lyrical content fails to meet the standards of responsible broadcasting.
"The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song "Tell Your Papa" by Eedris Abdulkareem, which is currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature," read the statement titled "Restriction on broadcasting "Tell Your Papa" by Eedris Abdulkareem."
” It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
“The commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.
“Your cooperation and commitment to upholding greatly appreciated. Thank you, Susan Obi -Coordinating Director, Broadcast Monitoring.”
The controversial song, which was released earlier this week, targets Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
It asks Seyi to confront his father about how the economic situation in Nigeria is getting worse. In the track titled “Tell Your Papa,” which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Abdulkareem delivered a blunt message, painting a grim picture of the hardships facing everyday Nigerians.
The lyrics of the song are a response to Seyi Tinubu's recent remarks in Adamawa State, in which he referred to his father as "the greatest president in Nigeria's history." In the hard-hitting lyrics, Abdulkareem raps, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard.
Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”
“Seyi, how far? Your papa will not try, I swear. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians.
"Seyi, attempting to travel by road without your security will make you experience the suffering of fellow Nigerians. He sings, "You fly private jets, insecurity is not your problem."