On April 12, 2025, Nigerian hip-hop icon Eedris Abdulkareem sparked controversy by claiming he was offered a staggering N200 million bribe from an anonymous caller purporting to be a senator.

In a widely shared video on social media, Abdulkareem explained that the offer was allegedly presented as underground support for his provocative protest song, "Tell Your Papa," which has recently faced a ban from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). During the phone call, Abdulkareem stated that the caller hinted at backing from a high-level meeting involving government officials and even mentioned Seyi, the son of President Bola Tinubu. "I received a call from someone claiming to be an honorable senator. He said they were willing to sponsor me underground with N200 million, but I immediately questioned why I would need such support," he recounted. Firmly rejecting the bribe, Abdulkareem denounced the proposal as an attempt to manipulate and undermine him. This bold stand comes amid growing outrage over the NBC's ban on his protest song, which critiques political leadership and sheds light on the economic struggles facing Nigeria. Voices from the industry have chimed in on the issue: the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) cautioned that banning the song might only increase its reach, while the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) condemned the ban as a blatant misuse of regulatory authority.

As discussions around censorship, freedom of expression, and accountability escalate, Abdulkareem's revelations further fuel the ongoing battle for democratic expression in Nigeria.