Nigeria Bans Song Criticizing President Tinubu’s Economic Policies

The ban on Eedris Abdulkareem's 'Tell Your Papa' has prompted international condemnation and reignited debates over freedom of expression in Nigeria.

The Nigerian government has banned Eedris Abdulkareem's song 'Tell Your Papa' from radio and TV broadcasts, citing violations of public decency under the country's broadcasting code.
The song criticizes President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, highlighting inflation, fuel price hikes, and unfulfilled promises, and addresses the president's son, Seyi Tinubu, urging him to convey the hardships to his father.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the ban as an abuse of power and a violation of artistic freedom and freedom of expression.
Eedris Abdulkareem has denounced the ban as an attempt to silence criticism, calling on his fans to stream the song online, where it has gone viral.
This incident echoes Abdulkareem's 2004 censorship experience with 'Jaga Jaga,' a song critical of a previous administration, underscoring a recurring pattern of stifling dissent in Nigeria.