Nigeria prohibits a song that criticizes President Bola Tinubu.

Nigerian musician Eedris Abdulkareem is urging listeners to stream his new song online after it was banned from radio and television by authorities.

The track, titled "Tell Your Papa," critiques President Bola Tinubu's economic performance amid significant protests. During Tinubu's administration, Nigeria has experienced widespread demonstrations in response to an ongoing economic crisis. The National Broadcasting Commission of Nigeria issued a directive to radio and TV stations, labeling the song's content as "inappropriate for broadcast." They argued that it violated a section of the broadcasting code that prohibits material deemed to breach public decency. In response, Abdulkareem rejected these claims and encouraged fans to listen to the song online instead. "It's clear that in Nigeria, telling the truth and offering constructive criticism is considered a serious offense by the government," he stated on social media Thursday. What Does the Song Say About Bola Tinubu?: Released on April 6, "Tell Your Papa" features lyrics in Yoruba, English, and Pidgin. The Afrobeats piece is directed at Tinubu's son, Seyi Tinubu, who previously referred to his father as Nigeria's greatest leader.

The lyrics urge him to inform his father that "people are suffering" due to economic challenges and insecurity from armed groups. Abdulkareem criticizes Tinubu's economic policies, highlighting a series of "empty promises" that have led to widespread hardship. Rights Groups Advocate for Freedom of Expression: Amnesty International condemned the "bizarre ban" on the song as a violation of free speech. They remarked, "This crackdown on artistic freedom is a troubling reminder that artists are at risk of being silenced." Additionally, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, a Nigerian legal nonprofit, has indicated plans to sue the government over the ban.

This is not the first instance of Abdulkareem's work facing censorship; in 2004, his song "Jaga Jaga," which criticized then-President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration for corruption, was also banned from airplay.