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Amnesty International has accused Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) of violating fundamental human rights by banning Eedris Abdulkareem’s politically charged song “Tell Your Papa”, calling the move a “blatant abuse of power” and demanding its immediate reversal.
In a press release issued on 10 April 2025, the global rights group condemned the NBC’s categorization of the song as “Not To Be Broadcast” solely for criticizing the government and powerful elites, warning that the ban sets a dangerous precedent for censorship and repression under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to Amnesty International, the ban violates Nigeria’s obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Amnesty stressed that “Nigerians have the right to criticize their government without fear of repression.”
The NBC cited the controversial Nigerian Broadcasting Code to justify the ban, which Amnesty called “deeply flawed and problematic.” The group urged authorities to repeal the code’s “heavy censorship regulations” often weaponized to silence dissent.
The decision risks suffocating artistic freedom, creating a “climate of fear” for musicians, journalists, and broadcasters. “Artists are being silenced for holding power to account,” Amnesty warned.
“Tell Your Papa”, a scathing critique of governance and inequality, joins a growing list of creative works censored under Nigeria’s restrictive broadcasting laws.
Abdulkareem, known for his activism through music, has faced prior clashes with authorities over songs addressing corruption and social justice.
Amnesty linked the ban to a broader pattern of stifling free expression, noting that the NBC has repeatedly targeted media outlets and artists for content deemed critical of the government.
The group emphasized that “censorship cannot be justified under the guise of regulation.”
Accordingly, the press release demanded that President Tinubu must direct the NBC to immediately withdraw the ban; reform or repeal the Nigerian Broadcasting Code to align with international human rights standards and to protect media freedom and artistic expression as pillars of democracy.
