Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s bold protest song, “Tell Your Papa,” is making waves across digital platforms, defying a ban imposed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Despite being blacklisted from airplay on April 10 for allegedly breaching the broadcasting code, the politically charged track criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration has gained massive traction online.
The song’s popularity skyrocketed on YouTube, climbing from 22,754 views and 1,200 likes to over 82,000 views and 2,600 likes within days. On Spotify, it has crossed 30,000 streams, reflecting a growing appetite for politically conscious music amid mounting public dissatisfaction.
Reacting to the ban, Abdulkareem took to Instagram, accusing the government of attempting to suppress dissent. He likened the move to the censorship of his 2004 hit “Jaga Jaga,” branding the current administration as “insensitive and vindictive.”
“It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government,” he posted.
The ban has sparked widespread backlash. The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) predicted the censorship would backfire, pushing more Nigerians to stream the track.
Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka also weighed in, condemning the NBC’s decision in a statement issued from New York University, Abu Dhabi. He slammed the act as a return to dictatorship-era censorship, warning that “any government that only tolerates praise-singers has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss.”
Though Soyinka admitted he hadn’t listened to the song, he defended Abdulkareem’s right to free expression. “The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him,” he quipped.
Fans also reacted online. On YouTube, Sheggzyunited wrote, “Naija government, this is 2025, for goodness sake. There is no single lie in the song.” Another user, Asa Anthony, added, “They were too quick to ban it because the message was well passed. We mount on streaming platforms and social media.”
On Instagram, @directorjoelmatt echoed the sentiment: “Our government don’t like the truth.”
