Beautiful Nubia Cries Foul Over Melody Use as Copyright Debate Deepens in Nigeria

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Veteran folk singer Beautiful Nubia has publicly alleged that elements of his decades-old work were reproduced without consent by two gospel acts. The musician, whose real name is Segun Akinlolu, expressed displeasure over what he described as the unauthorized use of the melody from his 1997 track Seven Lifes.

According to him, a 2012 gospel release by Yinka Ayefele titled My Faith in God (Igbagbo Ireti) shares striking melodic similarities with his original composition. He further claimed that a more recent song, Amin, released in 2026 by BBO, follows a comparable pattern.

Taking to social media, Beautiful Nubia questioned what he sees as a troubling disregard for intellectual property within certain circles of gospel music. In his strongly worded statement, he asked when musicians — particularly those in the gospel genre — would begin to respect copyright protections. His remarks have since triggered conversations across the entertainment industry.

Allegations in Brief

Rather than presenting the accusations chronologically, the claims can be summarized as follows:

A 1997 folk composition (Seven Lifes) is said to be the original source material.
A 2012 gospel track allegedly mirrors its melodic structure.
A 2026 gospel release is also accused of drawing from the same musical foundation.

As of the time of reporting, neither Ayefele nor BBO has issued a formal response to the claims.

A Legacy in Folk Music

Beautiful Nubia is not new to Nigeria’s music landscape. Emerging in the late 1990s, he built a reputation for blending folk traditions with socially conscious storytelling. His debut album in 1997 marked the beginning of a steady career that has earned him recognition among lovers of roots music.

Beyond recording, he established the EniObanke Music Festival — an annual event dedicated to celebrating indigenous and folk sounds. The festival has grown into a cultural platform for artists committed to preserving traditional musical heritage.

Legal Climate Around Copyright Funds

In a related development underscoring the sensitivity of copyright matters, a Federal High Court in Lagos recently granted an interim Mareva injunction affecting the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN). The order temporarily freezes certain copyright levy funds pending further legal proceedings.

The ruling also restrains the Central Bank of Nigeria and several commercial banks from releasing the disputed funds. Among the financial institutions referenced in the court application are:

Access Bank Plc
Guaranty Trust Bank Plc
Zenith Bank Plc
United Bank for Africa Plc
First Bank of Nigeria Plc
Fidelity Bank Nigeria Plc
Sterling Bank Plc
Wema Bank Plc

Other banks were also included in the application, highlighting the wide scope of the financial restraint.

Commentary & Industry Implications

The controversy arrives at a time when Nigeria’s creative sector is increasingly vocal about ownership rights and royalty protection. Melodic similarities between songs are not uncommon in global music, but disputes typically hinge on whether such overlaps constitute inspiration, coincidence, or infringement.

For gospel artists — whose music often carries moral and spiritual messaging — allegations of copyright violations can generate even stronger reactions. If left unresolved, disputes of this nature may prompt more musicians to take proactive legal steps to safeguard their work.

As conversations unfold, the case may serve as a reminder that originality remains a cornerstone of artistic integrity. Whether the matter proceeds to legal action or is settled privately, it has already reignited debate about intellectual property enforcement within Nigeria’s music ecosystem.

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