Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has criticized the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for banning Eedris Abdulkareem’s song that addresses issues related to President Bola Tinubu’s government. Soyinka described the ban as a worrying sign of censorship and a threat to free expression in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Sunday, Soyinka reflected on Nigeria’s history of suppressing artistic and political commentary. He pointed out that this recent action is not just about the specific song but represents a broader problem in society.
“Thanks to a cartoonist who shared a graphic comment about the ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s song, I became aware of this troubling return to censorship,” Soyinka stated in his piece published by PM News. With irony, he suggested that the ban did not go far enough, saying, “It’s not just this so-called offensive song that should be banned; the artist himself should be banned too. Perhaps even his entire music association should face consequences.”
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While Soyinka admitted he hadn’t listened to the song, he emphasized that the underlying issue goes beyond its content. “This is about a fundamental democratic right that cannot be ignored,” he asserted. He encouraged people to recognize the bright side of these situations and suggested looking at political cartoons as effective commentary on the dangers of censoring artistic expression.
Soyinka also noted the irony that censorship often benefits the targeted artist, humorously mentioning that “Abdulkareem is likely enjoying increased attention and profits right now.”
He warned that such censorship is harmful and counterproductive to democracy, stating, “We’ve been down this road before, and we know it leads nowhere good. It’s repetitive, distracting, and, above all, undermines our fundamental right to free expression.” This recent banning of Eedris Abdulkareem’s song serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for artistic freedom in Nigeria.
