LAGOS, NIGERIA — Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has strongly condemned the recent directive by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) banning Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s song “Tell Your Papa” from airplay, calling it a gross abuse of regulatory power and a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
In a circular dated April 9, 2025, and signed by the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Ms. Susan Obi, the NBC instructed all radio and television stations nationwide to refrain from broadcasting the song, citing its classification as “Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB)” under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
In response, MRA’s Programme Officer, Ms. Ayomide Eweje, criticized the directive as arbitrary and lacking legal foundation. “Section 3.1.8 of the Code is vague and offers no objective criteria for classifying content as NTBB,” she said. “This opens the door to censorship and unchecked suppression of artistic expression.”
Ms. Eweje emphasized that the song, known for its socially and politically conscious message, is protected under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of expression. She further noted that the ban contravenes Nigeria’s international obligations under Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The NBC appears to have abandoned its role as an independent regulator and is instead functioning as a propaganda tool to shield the government from criticism,” she said. “Artists play a crucial role in society by challenging power, promoting awareness, and giving voice to the people. The silencing of such voices is an affront to democracy.”
MRA has called on the NBC to immediately withdraw the ban and to desist from future actions that undermine public trust, restrict the civic space, and infringe on Nigerians’ right to access information and diverse viewpoints.
Ms. Eweje urged media professionals, civil society organizations, and creatives to stand united against any attempts to gag freedom of expression under the pretext of regulation. “MRA remains committed to defending the rights of all Nigerians to freely express themselves, seek and share information, and hold power to account without fear of censorship or intimidation.”
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Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
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