Freedom of Expression Under Fire as Eedris Abdulkareem’s Song Ban Sparks Debate

Following the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) ban of his new single, ‘Tell Your Papa’, veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has accused the regulatory body of attempting to silence truth and stifle constructive criticism. The NBC, citing “objectionable” content under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code in a memo dated April 9, 2025, has effectively barred the song from airplay.

In a strong reaction posted on his Instagram, Abdulkareem labeled the ban as politically motivated and an assault on freedom of expression. He directly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for alleged intolerance towards dissenting opinions. The rapper asserted that the prohibition of ‘Tell Your Papa’ reveals a concerning trend in Nigeria where truthful and critical commentary is often met with governmental suppression.

Drawing a parallel to the censorship of his earlier protest song, ‘Jaga Jaga’, in 2004 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulkareem questioned Nigeria’s democratic advancement regarding the protection of free speech. His stance underscores the persistent friction between artistic expression, particularly when politically charged, and the authority of regulatory agencies in the country.

Abdulkareem’s outspoken criticism and the NBC’s action have ignited a fresh debate about the permissible boundaries of artistic expression in Nigeria, the role and reach of the NBC, and the government’s willingness to tolerate critical voices in the media and arts. This incident serves as a reminder of past censorship battles and raises fundamental questions about the state of free speech within the nation’s democratic framework.