Released in early April, “Tell Your Papa” is a politically charged track by Nigerian music artist Fedris Abdulkareem. Through clever wordplay and double meanings, Abdulkareem sharply criticizes Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and the policies of his administration. Lines such as “very wicked policy, anti-people’s policy,” “parents work every day, them still no fit pay school fees, inflation for the nation,” and “if people dey protest, use soldiers oppress them, removal of subsidy” allude to the government’s corruption, erosion of civil rights, and the harsh effects of the economic inflation that runs through the country. These lyrics highlight the everyday struggles of Nigerians under the current leadership, while serving as a call to action to the common people with the words, “Wait for it, it’s coming.” Originally, Abdulkareem had created his song in response to the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, claiming that his father was the greatest leader in Nigeria’s history. However, “Tell Your Papa” quickly became so much more, asking listeners to question the validity of Seyi’s claims and asking Seyi to confront his father about his harmful policies.
Since taking office in 2023, President Tinunbu’s policies have resulted in fluctuating prices across Nigeria’s economy. Internal factors, such as Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidies and currency devaluation, as well as external factors, including global oil prices and war in Ukraine have both encouraged inflation. Nigeria’s inflation adds a new problem to the economy and the country’s people, since previously, the World Bank estimated that 11 million Nigerians were pushed into poverty during the pandemic, and 100 million out of 200 million people in the country were already classified as poor. This makes Nigeria’s worst cost-of-living crisis in years, and many common stables cost three times more than they did nine months ago. Prices have gone up by 30%, and the cost of food has risen by 35%, forcing more citizens into poverty and unemployment. Continued civil rights abuses have resulted in further discontent and instability. Last year, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds more were arrested at protests which demanded better opportunities and jobs for younger generations. Earlier this year, 29 Nigerian children were freed from death row for protesting against the country’s cost of living.
In the midst of growing rising discontent, “Tell Your Papa” struck a nerve among many Nigerian citizens. Its lyrics resonated with their hardships, and the song quickly went viral on social media. Many listeners began to debate over the country’s economic and security situation, bringing new problems to light. However, quickly after its release, the song was banned from radio stations on Friday, April 11. In a letter to TV and radio stations, the National Broadcast Commission declared that the song violated the country’s broadcast codes, since it was “inappropriate and objectionable,” falling short of public decency standards. In response to the ban, Abdulkareem posted on Instagram, retorting that constructive criticism was always seen as a crime by the government. He asked his viewers, “Any wonder why Nigeria hasn’t made impactful strides all these years?”
This was not the first time Abdulkareem used his platform to call out the government. In 2003, he created “Nigeria Jaja Jaja,” translating to “Nigeria Has Spoiled,” which critiqued former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, which Abdulkareem deemed as corrupt. In response, the former president responded harshly, publicly insulting Abdulkareem and banning his song for broadcasters. Many civil rights groups called the two bans “bizarre,” proclaiming them as a violation of free expression. In a statement, Amnesty International described the action as an abuse of power, explaining that, “This clamp down on artistic freedom is an appalling reminder that artists are at the risk of being silenced.”
Abdulkareem’s song remains on YouTube and has gained hundreds of supportive comments which bash the government for the song’s banning on the radio. Many devoted fans announced their loyalty to their song, and one comment reads, “I hear say National broadcasting commission ban the song. Them suppose don know say we non dey use radio and TV anymore in this generation. My phone is my TV and radio and NBC can’t stop me from listening and watching what I want to watch or listen to.” The banning of “Tell Your Papa” signals more than just a government’s discomfort with criticism, and it represents a broader struggle between free expression and authoritarian control.
Written by Claire Liu
