The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has condemned the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over its decision to ban rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s new protest track, “Tell Your Papa”, which criticises Nigeria’s current socio-economic conditions and calls out the son of President Bola Tinubu.
In a memo dated April 9, 2025, the NBC labelled the song “Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB)”, citing its “objectionable nature” under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The directive, signed by Susan Obi, Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, instructs radio and television stations across the country to refrain from airing the track.
However, PMAN President Pretty Okafor believes the ban is a strategic blunder that will only boost the song’s popularity and further amplify its message.
“The first major mistake is banning the song because it’s going to make the song even go viral right now,” Okafor said on Thursday.
“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.”
Okafor also noted that PMAN is treading cautiously due to the sensitive nature of the issue but stood by the song’s message.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
“Tell Your Papa”, released earlier this week and shared widely on X (formerly Twitter), is a blistering critique aimed at Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Tinubu. The song calls on Seyi to confront his father over what Abdulkareem describes as Nigeria’s worsening hardship.
In the track, Abdulkareem raps: “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”
The song was apparently triggered by Seyi Tinubu’s recent remarks in Adamawa State, where he hailed his father as “the greatest President in Nigeria’s history.”
SaharaReporters previously reported that the NBC had slammed a broadcast ban on the song, declaring it “objectionable” and “unfit” for public airplay on radio and television stations across the country.
Abdulkareem, known for his long history of politically charged music, uses the track to paint a bleak picture of the country’s worsening economic crisis, insecurity, and government dysfunction.
The song was shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday and has since gone viral. It resonates with frustrated Nigerians who feel increasingly abandoned by the ruling elite.
In the track, Abdulkareem raps: “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”
He continues with pointed bars aimed at the lavish lifestyle of the president’s son: “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.”
“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.”
