Nigerian rapper and activist Eedris Abdulkareem has said he longs for the day his most controversial song, Nigeria Jaga Jaga, becomes irrelevant. Speaking in a televised interview on Channels TV, the artist expressed deep frustration that more than two decades after its release, the issues the song tackled—corruption, poor leadership, insecurity, and a crumbling infrastructure—are still part of everyday life for most Nigerians.
Originally released in 2001, Nigeria’s Jaga Jaga sparked widespread debate and government backlash after it boldly called out the country’s leaders. Though it was banned at the time, it has gained new life on social media platforms like TikTok, where younger Nigerians are now rediscovering its message. For Eedris, the song’s growing popularity is not a reason to celebrate. Rather, it’s a painful reminder that nothing has changed. He said he dreams of waking up one day and finding the song has no meaning anymore because the problems it addresses have finally been solved.
During the interview, Eedris did not hold back as he voiced his disappointment with the current state of the country. He called for visible progress in key areas like electricity, security, and job creation. He said Nigerian youth are not asking for too much, just for the basic things that make a dignified life possible. He also noted that these things are still out of reach, making the song’s message as timely as ever.
Eedris also addressed the recent ban of his new song Tell Your Papa by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission. The NBC marked the track “Not to be Broadcast,” sparking widespread criticism and reigniting conversations about censorship in music. According to the rapper, the song was a direct response to a viral video featuring Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which he strongly defended his father’s leadership. Eedris said he felt compelled to respond with facts, not insults, through music.
He pointed out that while Seyi Tinubu may see his father as a great man, many Nigerians view the president’s leadership as a failure. Eedris urged the younger Tinubu to step outside his bubble of privilege, travel without security, and experience firsthand what average Nigerians go through every day. He insisted the lyrics of Tell Your Papa contain no offensive language and are rooted in truth. The artist stressed that if Seyi Tinubu had stayed silent, he would not have felt the need to record the track.
Drawing comparisons with late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, Eedris described himself as a passionate patriot whose criticism comes from love for his country. He said those in power often reject the truth, especially when it is uncomfortable, but that will not stop him from speaking out. His goal, he explained, is not to provoke but to push for a better Nigeria.
As the country faces economic struggles, rising unemployment, and growing insecurity, artists like Eedris Abdulkareem continue to use their platforms to call for reform. Through his music, he reminds Nigerians of their right to demand better and refuse to settle for less. For him, Nigeria Jaga Jaga is more than a protest song—it’s a national cry for change that still rings painfully true.
