Latest news with #Abdulkareem
Al-Ahram Weekly
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Nigeria bans song critical of president's economic record - Music - Arts & Culture
Nigeria's broadcasting authorities have banned a song critical of the president from airing on radio and television, the rapper behind the tune said. "Tell Your Papa" by Eedris Abdulkareem sharply criticises the administration of President Bola Tinubu, whose first two years in office have seen the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation as he embarks on deep economic reforms. The lyrics are addressed to Tinubu's son, calling on him to let his father know "people are dying" from economic hardship as well as continued insecurity from armed groups. Abdulkareem on Thursday posted a letter from the National Broadcasting Commission to his Instagram account, in which the rap -- with lyrics in Yoruba, English and Pidgin -- is described as "inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature". The letter, sent to TV and radio stations across the country asking them not to play the song, was dated Wednesday. The NBC did not respond to a request for comment. "It's obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed as a big crime by the government," Abdulkareem said on social media. Despite a thriving Afrobeats music scene and a huge film industry known as Nollywood, artists in Africa's most populous country face limits on free expression from government regulators, activists say. In response to the ban, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, a legal nonprofit, has threatened to sue the government. Tinubu came to office in May 2023, embarking on what the government and economists say are much-needed reforms to steady the country's finances -- including scrapping a costly fuel subsidy and loosening the exchange rate of the naira. While supporters say the reforms are key for reviving long-term investment in the country, ordinary Nigerians have suffered through rampant inflation as the value of the naira plummeted and the cost of goods soared. In response to the letter, Abdulkareem made another post telling those interested in listening to it to take to the internet. "We go stream," he wrote. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A song critical of Nigeria's president is barred from airwaves
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Authorities in Nigeria have barred radio stations from playing a song critical of President Bola Tinubu and his administration's policies, according to a memo seen Friday by The Associated Press. The country's media regulator described the content of 'Tell Your Papa' in the memo to radio stations as 'inappropriate for broadcast.' The song is a response by musician and outspoken government critic Eedris Abdulkareem to recent remarks by Seyi Tinubu, the president's son, who called his father the greatest leader in the country's history. In the afrobeats track, Abdulkareem asks the younger Tinubu to tell his father that his policies have brought widespread hardship to Africa's most populous country, while highlighting what he calls a string of unfulfilled 'empty promises.' Since taking office in 2023, Tinubu's policies such as the removal of subsidies on gasoline have hit hard as Nigeria grapples with fluctuating prices. Last year, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds more were arrested at protests demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people. In Wednesday's memo, the National Broadcasting Commission said the song violated section 3.1.8 of the country's broadcasting code that prohibits content that is in 'breach of public decency.' Still, the song has gone viral on social media. Addressing the ban in an Instagram post, Abdulkareem said constructive criticism is always seen as a crime by the government. 'Any wonder why Nigeria hasn't made impactful strides all these years?' he said. In 2004, another of Abdulkareem's songs, 'Jaga Jaga,' was banned. It was a critique of former President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration, which he described as corrupt. The 'bizarre ban' of the song is a violation of freedom of expression, Amnesty International said in a statement, describing the action as an abuse of power. 'This clamp down on artistic freedom is an appalling reminder that artists are at the risk of being silenced,' the rights group said.
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
A song critical of Nigeria's president is barred from airwaves
Authorities in Nigeria have barred radio stations from playing a song critical of President Bola Tinubu and his administration's policies, according to a memo seen Friday by The Associated Press. The country's media regulator described the content of 'Tell Your Papa' in the memo to radio stations as 'inappropriate for broadcast.' The song is a response by musician and outspoken government critic Eedris Abdulkareem to recent remarks by Seyi Tinubu, the president's son, who called his father the greatest leader in the country's history. In the afrobeats track, Abdulkareem asks the younger Tinubu to tell his father that his policies have brought widespread hardship to Africa's most populous country, while highlighting what he calls a string of unfulfilled 'empty promises.' Since taking office in 2023, Tinubu's policies such as the removal of subsidies on gasoline have hit hard as Nigeria grapples with fluctuating prices. Last year, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds more were arrested at protests demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people. In Wednesday's memo, the National Broadcasting Commission said the song violated section 3.1.8 of the country's broadcasting code that prohibits content that is in 'breach of public decency.' Still, the song has gone viral on social media. Addressing the ban in an Instagram post, Abdulkareem said constructive criticism is always seen as a crime by the government. 'Any wonder why Nigeria hasn't made impactful strides all these years?' he said. In 2004, another of Abdulkareem's songs, 'Jaga Jaga,' was banned. It was a critique of former President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration, which he described as corrupt. The 'bizarre ban' of the song is a violation of freedom of expression, Amnesty International said in a statement, describing the action as an abuse of power. 'This clamp down on artistic freedom is an appalling reminder that artists are at the risk of being silenced,' the rights group said.
Associated Press
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
A song critical of Nigeria's president is barred from airwaves
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Authorities in Nigeria have barred radio stations from playing a song critical of President Bola Tinubu and his administration's policies, according to a memo seen Friday by The Associated Press. The country's media regulator described the content of 'Tell Your Papa' in the memo to radio stations as 'inappropriate for broadcast.' The song is a response by musician and outspoken government critic Eedris Abdulkareem to recent remarks by Seyi Tinubu, the president's son, who called his father the greatest leader in the country's history. In the afrobeats track, Abdulkareem asks the younger Tinubu to tell his father that his policies have brought widespread hardship to Africa's most populous country, while highlighting what he calls a string of unfulfilled 'empty promises.' Since taking office in 2023, Tinubu's policies such as the removal of subsidies on gasoline have hit hard as Nigeria grapples with fluctuating prices. Last year, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds more were arrested at protests demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people. In Wednesday's memo, the National Broadcasting Commission said the song violated section 3.1.8 of the country's broadcasting code that prohibits content that is in 'breach of public decency.' Still, the song has gone viral on social media. Addressing the ban in an Instagram post, Abdulkareem said constructive criticism is always seen as a crime by the government. 'Any wonder why Nigeria hasn't made impactful strides all these years?' he said. In 2004, another of Abdulkareem's songs, 'Jaga Jaga,' was banned. It was a critique of former President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration, which he described as corrupt. The 'bizarre ban' of the song is a violation of freedom of expression, Amnesty International said in a statement, describing the action as an abuse of power. 'This clamp down on artistic freedom is an appalling reminder that artists are at the risk of being silenced,' the rights group said.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nigerian song criticising president banned from radio
The Nigerian authorities have banned broadcasters from playing the song Tell Your Papa, which criticises the country's leader. Artist Eedris Abdulkareem's lyrics slam President Bola Tinubu and urge his influential son, Seyi, to let his father know "people are dying" through hardship and insecurity and there is "hunger" in the country. In a letter to TV and radio stations, the National Broadcast Commission (NBC), which issues licenses and regulates the industry, ordered the track not to be played, saying it violates the country's broadcast code. The NBC said it considered Tell Your Papa's content to be "inappropriate" and "objectionable" adding that it falls short of public decency standards. Released earlier in the week, the song has gained a lot of attention on social media in Nigeria and has sparked debate regarding the economic and security situation in the country. On becoming president in May 2023, Tinubu introduced a number of economic reforms which increased the cost of living. He dropped the fuel subsidy, which had long kept petrol prices low, saying that the government could no longer afford it. Fuel prices then jumped sharply which had a knock-on effect on the rest of the economy. Annual inflation was above 30% for most of last year and the price of some basic food items increased by even more. This has led some Nigerians to cut back on the number of meals they eat a day and the amount of food they consume. There are also worries about the level of insecurity in the country with kidnapping-for-ransom still a major issue and fears that Islamist militant group Boko Haram could make a resurgence in the north-east. On the track, in a mix of English, Yoruba and Pidgin, Abdulkareem tells Tinubu's son that his father "is not trying" and that he has made "too many empty promises". When it comes to insecurity, the artist urges Seyi to travel by road, instead of private jet, to experience the dangers faced by ordinary Nigerians. Tinubu's government has in the past defended its economic policies saying that the president was aiming to put the country on a stable footing in the long term. In order to deal with the short-term pain, the authorities have an on-going cash transfer scheme to help 15 million poorer Nigerian households. When it comes to security, the government has said that the situation has improved in the last 18 months. As the licensing authority, the NBC can sanction broadcasters for ignoring its orders. In the past they have fined stations and suspended licenses for violations. Abdulkareem is not new to controversy as he recorded a similar song in the past. In 2003, he released his most popular tune to date - Nigeria jaga jaga, meaning "Nigeria has spoiled". Then President Olusegun Obasanjo reacted harshly, publicly insulting Abdulkareem. The song was banned for broadcasters but gained popularity among Nigerians and became a street anthem. 'How I survived Nigeria attack that killed my 16 friends' Huge data price hike sparks anger in Nigeria 'We dig graves for free, like our fathers did before us' 'I've been sleeping under a bridge in Lagos for 30 years' The Nigerian professor who makes more money welding Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
