Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem is back in the spotlight but not for the reasons you would expect. His latest song, “Tell Your Papa,” is now banned from the airwaves by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which says the track crosses the line.
In a memo dated 9th of April, 2025, the Commission’s Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, ordered that the song be classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. That section forbids material judged to be “inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency.”
The song, already viral across social media, isn’t being pulled for lack of popularity but for what it says.
NBC’s internal statement, titled “Restriction on broadcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem,” made it clear: the message, not the music, is the problem.
Quoting the memo directly:
“The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature. 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 backlash stems from the song’s scathing commentary aimed directly at Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
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Abdulkareem demands accountability, urging Seyi to speak truth to power about the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
In one of the most talked-about verses, Abdulkareem raps: “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”
The track responds to Seyi’s recent remarks in Adamawa State, where he hailed his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.”
Abdulkareem fires back with sharp words:
“Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians.”
He doesn’t stop there. In another line, the rapper challenges Seyi’s privilege:
“Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem.”
Though the NBC has silenced it on traditional platforms, the song’s message continues to echo online unfiltered and unbothered.