Eleven years ago, Eedris Abdulkareem, Nigeria’s hip-hop music star, had a running battle with the government for releasing into market a song adjudged to be critical to the people in power.
His ‘jaga jaga’ song landed him in trouble with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004.
A few days ago, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, barred radio and television stations in the country from airing trending song “Tell Your Papa” in which rapper Eedris Abdulkareem criticises the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The NBC gave the order in a memo dated April 9, 2025 signed by its Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi
According the memo, the track fits into category of Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code prohibits content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency from being aired on Nigerian broadcast platforms.
NBC, noted that while the song has become popular across social media platforms, its lyrical content fails to meet the standards of responsible broadcasting.
The statement titled, “Restriction on broadcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem,’ read, “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.”
Eedris had in the recently released music track asked Seyi, the son of President Bola Tinubu to tell his father that Nigerians are suffering as a result of worsening socio-economic conditions in Nigeria.
In the track titled “Tell Your Papa,” Abdulkareem complained about the day to day hardships Nigerians are confronted with.
It was believed that the song was released in response to recent assertion by Seyi Tinubu that his father is “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.”
PMAN, SERAP, Eedris Abdulkareem react
Reacting to the development, IPMAN President, Pretty Okafor, in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday, emphasised that the ban was likely to backfire, as it only serves to amplify the song’s reach and relevance in light of the current socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians.
“The first major mistake is banning the song because it’s going to make the song even go viral right now. Those who haven’t heard about the song or haven’t even listened to it will go now to look for the song and will start promoting it. The song has practically pinched the government somewhere, that’s why they ordered for the ban. So, there is already a mistake that has been made by the NBC or even the government by paying attention to that particular song,” Okafor stated.
Discussing PMAN’s position on the matter, Okafor remarked, “We don’t have the power to offer the artiste support right now because it is a very sensitive issue, so, we need to be careful. We will just be watching because people are dying and the suffering is too much. How do we repair the economy? We cannot pretend that all is well. The song is telling us the truth, and there is nothing wrong with that song.”
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), demanding an immediate reversal of what it termed the unlawful ban placed on Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest protest song, “Tell Your Papa.”
In a statement released on its X Platform on Thursday, SERAP described the ban as a violation of the artist’s right to freedom of expression and warned of impending legal action if the directive is not rescinded within the stipulated timeframe.
“The Tinubu administration must immediately reverse the unlawful ban by the National Broadcasting Commission stopping Nigerian radio and TV stations from airing Eedris Abdulkareem’s new single,” SERAP said. “We’ll see in court if the ban is not reversed within 48 hours.”
Eedris in a post shared on his Instagram page, said the Tinubu administration is “going on record as one of the most insensitive, vindictive and grossly maleficent administration ever to preside over the affairs of Nigeria,” adding that “constructive criticism is always deemed as a big crime by his government.”
He tagged his reaction: ‘’NBC JUST BANNED MY NEW SINGLE “TELL YOUR PAPA”
”It’s obvious that in Nigeria, Truth and constructive criticism is always deemed as a big crime by the government, and 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.
”Just under 2 years of his presidency, and the results are just frighteningly abysmal from all fronts. And this is a fact, known by all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, tribe and political affiliations, except for the few happy slaves grovelling for crumps from their paymaster’s table!
The attached letter was sent to all broadcast houses in Nigeria, instructing them to shield the government by hiding the candle under the table.
Well, I have travelled this road before as this is reminiscent of the ban of my song “Jaga Jaga”, by the Obasanjo administration 21 years ago!
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!!!”
Obasanjo and Keyamo fought Eedris over ‘Nigeria jaga jaga’ song
Recall that then Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo took him to cleaner for disparaging him in his new release, ‘jagajaga reloaded,’ Abdulkareem had a running battle with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004 when he first released his song ‘Jaga Jaga.’
In that song, Abdulkareem sang “Nigeria jaga jaga, everything scatter scatter, poor man dey suffer suffer, Gbosa, gbosa…”
The song annoyed Obasanjo and he cursed Abdulkareem. The former president banned the song from radio, but it continued to be played in nightclubs.
Years later in 2012, Obasanjo never forgave Abdulkareem as he attacked him again for releasing that song years back.
Speaking at an event organized by Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) in 2012, Obasanjo attacked Abdulkareem again, condemning the song in the strongest term.
The former president said “one of the worst problems Nigeria is facing is disbelief. Nigerians no longer believe in themselves neither do they believe in their country.
“That takes me back to that song ‘jaga jaga’. How could a sane man dare to call his country jaja jaja? It is the height of blasphemy.
“We are grooming our youths for tomorrow’s leadership and with such persons I don’t think the country can move forward.”
Abdulkareem in a new song, ‘Letter to Obasanjo,’ in 2018 attacked the former Army general.
He said Obasanjo served as a military president and also a civilian president and that he had the opportunity to correct the wrongs.
“He was selfish and wanted third term by all means. His administration recorded too many killings and assassinations. He’s very selfish and wanted to rule Nigeria forever,” he had said.
Nothing much was heard of Abdulkareem until he attacked Keyamo in his new song ‘Jaga Jaga reloaded.’
Abdulkareem’s new song, ‘jagajaga reloaded’ disparaged Keyamo, saying “where Festus Keyamo sef? He don dey chop with cabal o.”
An angry Keyamo took to his twitter handle and released different private conversations he had with Abdulkareem, how he allegedly begged for money.
