Nigeria’s House of Representatives says it will ensure that the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, receives proper compensation and royalties from songs produced as an individual artist and under the Marlian record label.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Olumide Osoba, who made this known during an interactive session with the Nigerian Copyright Commission and the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria, said the rights and royalties accrued to Mohbad’s music must be recovered.
The committee, which was constituted by the House following a motion of urgent public importance by Babajimi Benson to monitor investigations by security agencies, and secure the royalties of Mohbad’s songs, emphasised the significance of securing compensation and royalties for Nigerian artists.
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The committee maintained that the action will enable artists to sustain their careers, create new music, and build a future within the industry, saying the current system often falls short in adequately protecting and providing for young musicians, concerning their royalty rights.
The lawmakers agreed that the knowledge gap in Nigeria’s music industry, places artists at a disadvantage, as they may not fully grasp the complex legal intricacies surrounding royalty rights.
They committed to bridging the knowledge gap, and ensuring that young musicians are aware of their rights while having access to legal support that safeguards their interests.
The committee noted that addressing these issues is vital to implementing stronger regulations and support systems within the industry, which includes advocating for more transparent and standardised contracts for all artists, irrespective of their age or experience, to level the playing field, and prevent the exploitation of young talent.
As part of its resolutions, the committee is seeking legislation that will provide accessible legal advice and assistance to young musicians through organisations, unions, or educational programmes, equipping them with the knowledge and resources, needed to understand and negotiate contracts to protect their rights, and secure fair compensation for their creative contributions.
The committee says it is committed to this responsibility, adding that they have requested relevant information regarding the circumstances of Mohbad’s death, with measures in place, to secure his royalties and other benefits.
The committee promised to ensure that the rights of young musicians regarding royalties are protected, saying efforts would be made to guarantee that they receive fair compensation for their hard work and artistic contributions.
Twenty-seven-year-old Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, passed away on September 12, 2023, under mysterious circumstances.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
