The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) a 48 hours ultimatum, demanding an immediate reversal of what it described as the unlawful ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest protest song, “Tell Your Papa.” The Group describes NBC’s move as “unconstitutional” and “a clear breach of freedom of expression,” SERAP, in a statement issued Thursday night, insisted the action violates Nigeria’s democratic principles. “We’ll see in court if the ban is not reversed within 48 hours,” SERAP warned. NBC had earlier issued a directive on April 9, 2025, barring radio and TV stations from playing the song.
The order, signed by Susan Obi, NBC’s Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, labeled the track “Not To Be Broadcast” (NTBB), citing Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. This section prohibits content considered offensive or indecent for public broadcast.
NBC’s memo, titled “Restriction on Broadcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem”, claimed the song was inappropriate for airplay and urged broadcasters to stay away from it to uphold professional standards.
It reads, “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.”
The track specifically calls out Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, urging him to confront his father about the worsening situation in the country.
The song appears to be a direct response to Seyi Tinubu’s recent praise of his father during a visit to Adamawa State, where he described President Tinubu as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.”