On April 10, 2025, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) dropped a bombshell by banning veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s protest song Tell Your Papa from radio and TV airwaves, citing its “objectionable” lyrics. The song, a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, directly calls out the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, with lines like, “Seyi, tell your papa say country hard, people dey die.” The decision has ignited a firestorm on social media, with Nigerians unleashing a torrent of reactions—ranging from fiery support for Eedris to outright condemnation of the NBC and the Tinubu administration’s perceived attack on free speech.
The hashtag #TellYourPapa began trending on X within hours of the announcement, as users rallied behind Eedris Abdulkareem, a long-time voice for the voiceless in Nigeria’s music scene. @Emediongeffio97 captured the defiant mood, tweeting, “The song should be Trending now oo ✊✊,” urging Nigerians to amplify the banned track online. Others, like @FLACKO_VVS, hailed Eedris as a fearless truth-teller, writing, “Eedris has been the only artist that touched the FG. At his peak and after.” These sentiments reflect a growing admiration for the rapper’s boldness in addressing Nigeria’s economic struggles, insecurity, and what many call “empty promises” from the government.