Amnesty International’s strong condemnation of the Nigerian National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s protest song, Tell Your Papa, highlights a significant concern over freedom of expression in Nigeria. The human rights group called the ban “unlawful, arbitrary, and deeply worrying,” pointing out that it undermines the right to access information and silences dissent. The decision, which categorizes the song as “Not To Be Broadcast,” has raised alarms about growing government censorship under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The song, which critiques the government and addresses issues like social and economic hardship, was banned by NBC citing the Nigerian Broadcasting Code. Amnesty views this move as a violation of international human rights standards, particularly under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which protect freedom of expression.
The human rights group expressed concern about the chilling effect the ban could have on other artists, media houses, and the broader public’s ability to freely express criticism. The use of the Broadcasting Code as justification for the ban was called “deeply flawed,” and Amnesty has called for urgent reforms to the regulatory framework that governs broadcasting in Nigeria.
This situation underscores the ongoing tension between government regulation and artistic freedom in Nigeria, with Amnesty warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for future censorship and repression.
The response from the Nigerian government, including President Tinubu and NBC, has yet to be seen, and the broader implications of this controversy remain to be fully realized.