House To Ensure Mohbad Receives Royalties For His Music

By Oduyemi Odumade

The House of Representatives has pledged to ensure that the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, receives proper compensation and royalties for his music.

Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Mr. Olumide Osoba made this commitment during an interactive session with the Nigeria Copy Rights Commission and Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria focusing on the rights and royalties associated with Mohbad’s music.

The assurance comes following a motion of urgent public importance moved by a member from Lagos State, Babajimi Benson to safeguard the royalties of Mohbad’s songs.

During the session, Mr. Osoba stressed the importance of securing compensation and royalties, acknowledging that these payments are crucial sources of income for musicians.

He recognized that such support enables artists to sustain their careers, create new music, and build a future within the industry.

Mr. Osoba also highlighted the significant challenges faced by emerging artists when negotiating fair royalty agreements, particularly when dealing with major record labels.

He emphasized that young musicians often lack awareness of their rights and freedom hence they face exploitation due to a knowledge gap surrounding complex legal intricacies.

To address these issues, the Lawmaker advocated the implementation of stronger regulations and support systems within the music industry.

He called for more transparent and standardized contracts for all artists, regardless of age or experience, to prevent the exploitation of young talents and level the playing field.

Furthermore, the Chairman House Committee on Justice emphasized the need to provide accessible legal advice and assistance to young musicians through organizations, unions, or educational programs. Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and resources to understand and negotiate contracts that will empower them to protect their rights and secure fair compensation for their creative contributions.

He also acknowledged the need for the music industry to adapt to the digital age as digital streaming platforms have revolutionized music consumption and distribution, noting that young musicians often struggle to earn a substantial income due to outdated royalty structures.

The House Committee on Justice has therefore requested relevant information regarding the circumstances of Mohbad’s death and the measures in place to secure his royalties and other benefits.

The committee has set a deadline of next week to expedite action on this assignment.

The Chairman emphasized that the committee welcomes any additional information or challenges hindering the implementation of the rights and royalties of musicians. Ensuring the rights of young musicians regarding royalties is of paramount importance to the committee, and collective efforts should be made to guarantee fair compensation for their hard work and artistic contributions.

The untimely passing of Mohbad on September 12 further emphasizes the urgency of addressing issues related to the rights and protection of royalties for young and upcoming artists in the country.

Edited By Grace Namiji