Why Nigeria banned an Afrobeats song - What in the World podcast, BBC World Service

Key Concepts:

• Afrobeats, Eedris Abdulkareem, "Tell Your Papa," Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Freedom of Expression, Fuel Subsidy Removal, Cost of Living Crisis, Hunger Protests, Seyi Tinubu, Wole Soyinka, Pidgin English.

Eedris Abdulkareem and "Tell Your Papa"

• Eedris Abdulkareem is a significant figure in the early Afrobeats movement in Nigeria, widely respected and popular.
• He released a song titled "Tell Your Papa" (Pidgin English for "Tell Your Father/Dad") which was inspired by a video of Seyi Tinubu (the president's son) praising his father's presidency.
• The song addresses the state of Nigeria, including the cost of living crisis, insecurity, and alleged corruption.
• Lyrics include a call for Seyi Tinubu to inform his father about the realities on the ground and suggesting he use public transport to experience the country's conditions firsthand.

Ban by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC)

• The NBC, a federal government agency responsible for regulating content on Nigerian TV and radio, banned "Tell Your Papa."
• The reason given for the ban was that the song was "inappropriate" and violated the broadcast code of conduct.
• The NBC's role is to ensure content is clean, ethical, moral, and upholds the code of conduct.
• The NBC is a government-appointed body, meaning its decisions align with the federal government's stance.
• Banning songs is not unprecedented in Nigeria; past bans have been based on profanity, vulgarity, or perceived threats to national interest.

Nigerian Reality and Public Response

• The issues raised in "Tell Your Papa" reflect the daily realities for many Nigerians, including insecurity and high prices.
• Protests have occurred, with young people expressing discontent over the cost of living, insecurity, corruption, and unemployment.
• Online movements like "30 Days of Rage" demonstrate widespread dissatisfaction.
• The ban has significantly increased the song's popularity and awareness, especially among younger audiences unfamiliar with Eedris Abdulkareem.
• Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and others have criticized the ban as a muzzle on free speech and artistic expression.

Artist's Perspective and Government Opposition

• Eedris Abdulkareem has defended his song, stating he felt compelled to respond to Seyi Tinubu's claims.
• He acknowledges the ban but believes the song will continue to circulate online, beyond the NBC's jurisdiction.
• Abdulkareem has a history of using his music for activism and is seemingly pleased with the song's increased visibility.
• Young people are demanding solutions to economic hardship, with many struggling to afford basic necessities.
• The removal of the fuel subsidy by the government has tripled fuel costs, impacting transportation and production costs.
• While the government has allocated funds to low-income families, many feel it is insufficient to address the widespread economic pain.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

Eedris Abdulkareem's "Tell Your Papa" is an Afrobeats song addressing socio-political issues in Nigeria, particularly the cost of living crisis and insecurity. The song's ban by the NBC, deemed a restriction on free speech, has ironically amplified its popularity and sparked broader conversations about government policies and the realities faced by Nigerians. The situation highlights the tension between artistic expression, government regulation, and public sentiment in Nigeria.