KEY POINTS

• SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the NBC over its ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s song “Tell Your Papa,” arguing that the action violates freedom of expression and media freedom in Nigeria.

• The song, which critiques President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, was banned for being “objectionable,” prompting SERAP to challenge the decision in court.

• The lawsuit highlights the importance of protecting artistic freedom and public discourse in a democratic society, with SERAP calling for the reversal of the ban on the song.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over its controversial decision to ban Eedris Abdulkareem’s song “Tell Your Papa” from being aired on radio and television stations across Nigeria.

The song, which was released on April 7, 2025, addresses the severe economic hardships faced by Nigerians and contains criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.

The Cable reports that the NBC’s move to ban the song has sparked a heated debate over freedom of expression and the limits of government intervention in the media.

The decision to restrict the song came on April 10, 2025, when the NBC issued a directive prohibiting its broadcast, calling the song “objectionable.” This move followed the rising tensions over the song’s content, which includes pointed commentary on the country’s current political and economic situation.

In response, SERAP filed a suit on April 17 at the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the ban as unconstitutional. The suit, identified as FHC/L/CS/797/2025, asks the court to reverse the ban and declare the NBC’s action as illegal. SERAP argues that the ban violates Nigerians’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom, all of which are guaranteed by both national and international human rights laws.

“The NBC’s actions are not just an overreach but a violation of fundamental rights that are enshrined in our Constitution,” said Kolawole Oluwadare, one of SERAP’s lead lawyers. “This kind of censorship, especially when it concerns political commentary, has a chilling effect on free speech in our democratic society.”

SERAP’s lawsuit also emphasizes that the NBC’s decision to ban the song is inconsistent with the principle of free expression, which is a cornerstone of democratic societies. The organization argues that such censorship undermines the importance of artistic creativity and public discourse. “Public decency cannot be used as an excuse to suppress dissenting voices, especially when those voices are providing a necessary critique of public affairs,” the statement reads.

In its suit, SERAP contends that the NBC has not demonstrated that the song poses a legitimate threat to public order or national security that would justify such a ban.

The rights group further claims that the ban on the song rendered by Eedris fails to meet international standards, such as those outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protects the right to seek, receive, and impart information, including through art and music.

“Banning this song restricts the public’s right to access critical information about their government’s policies and actions,” said Oluwakemi Agunbiade, another lawyer representing SERAP in the case. “It’s not only about one song but about the wider issue of artistic freedom and the freedom of the press in Nigeria.”

SERAP’s legal team also argues that the NBC’s actions violate both the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees the right to free expression without undue interference.

A broader conversation on free expression in Nigeria

The case has drawn widespread attention from various human rights groups, journalists, and musicians, who view it as an important test for media freedom in Nigeria. While acknowledging that some limitations on free speech might be necessary for national security or public health, SERAP insists that such limitations must be legal, necessary, and proportionate.

“Censorship of artistic works has serious social and economic consequences. It stifles public discourse and deprives artists of their livelihood,” the legal team added in their statement.

Eedris Abdulkareem, the artist behind “Tell Your Papa,” has also expressed his disappointment with the ban, stating that his song was created as a tool for social change and to highlight the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians. He emphasized that the government should be open to criticism, as it is essential for a healthy democracy.

No date has been set for the hearing of the lawsuit, but SERAP has vowed to continue its fight for the protection of free speech and artistic expression in Nigeria.