Reps pledge to secure Mohbad’s compensation, royalties

The House of Representatives has assured the family of late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, of its commitment to secure proper compensation and royalties from his musical works.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Olumide Osoba, said this when the officials of the Copy Rights Commission appeared before it and the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

The appearance was an interactive session on the rights and royalties related to Mohbad’s music.

This was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance earlier moved by Babajimi Benson (APC-Lagos) to secure the royalties of Mohbad’s songs and lyrics.

Osoba emphasised the significance of securing compensation and royalties, acknowledging that these payments were essential sources of income for musicians.

He said such would enable musicians to sustain their careers, create new music, and build a future within the industry.

He, however, said the current system often fall short in adequately protecting and providing for young musicians concerning their royalty rights.

The lawmaker said many emerging musicians face challenges when negotiating fair royalty agreements, particularly when dealing with major record labels, adding that this often wield significant power and could impose unfavorable terms, resulting in artists receiving only a fraction of the royalties they deserved.

“It is crucial to recognise that young musicians are often not well-informed about their rights when entering into contracts,” Osoba stated.

He said such a knowledge gap placed them at a disadvantage, as they might not fully grasp the complex legal intricacies surrounding royalty rights.

He said the responsibility rests on society to bridge the knowledge gap and ensure that young musicians were aware of their rights while having access to legal support that safeguards their interests.

According to him, to address these issues, it is vital to work towards implementing stronger regulations and support systems within the industry.

Osoba listed this to include 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.

It would be recalled that Mohbad passed away on September 12 under mysterious circumstances.

The Star