Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has condemned the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) ban on Nigerian rapper and activist Eedris Abdulkareem’s protest song “Tell Your Papa,” describing it as a dangerous return to censorship and an attack on freedom of expression.
The song, which criticizes Nigeria’s worsening economy and hardship and calls on Seyi Tinubu to “tell his father” (President Bola Tinubu), was recently taken off the airwaves by the NBC, citing its “objectionable content.” Abdulkareem is known for his earlier controversial hit “Jaga Jaga”, which targeted former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
In a statement from New York University Abu Dhabi, Soyinka denounced the move, warning that it echoed past authoritarian tactics used to silence dissent in Nigeria. He called for the ban to be lifted immediately, stating that stifling critical artistic expression only damages democracy.
“Through a cartoonist’s lens, I recently became aware of the NBC’s decision to ban Eedris Abdulkareem’s song. My stance is clear: not only is this an outrageous step backward, but it’s also deeply ironic. If the song is so offensive, why stop there? Why not ban the artist, his musical association, and even the cartoonist who commented on the issue?” Soyinka said sarcastically.
While admitting he hadn’t yet listened to the track, Soyinka stressed that the principle of free expression is non-negotiable in any democracy.
“This ban is not just pointless—it’s counterproductive. It has given Abdulkareem free publicity. I imagine he’s laughing all the way to the bank.”
He warned that attempts to silence dissent through censorship often lead to more harm than good, citing past instances where criticism was suppressed only to inflame more public outrage.
Soyinka also condemned recent mob violence in Edo State, where 19 people reportedly lost their lives, likening it to the brutal 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto. He criticized the culture of impunity that allows perpetrators of such acts to go unpunished.
“Whether in Sokoto or Edo, the horror lies not just in the deaths, but in society’s failure to hold culprits accountable. When killers walk free and even gloat on social media, we invite a descent into barbarism.”
He concluded by urging authorities to uphold justice, accountability, and the freedom of expression, warning that governments who tolerate only praise singers are heading towards authoritarianism.