Reps to secure Mohbad’s compensation, royalties, others from music works

The House of Representatives pledged on Wednesday, October 4, to ensure that the late Nigerian artiste Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad, receives fair remuneration and royalties from his musical creations.

Olumide Osoba, the chairman of the House Committee on Justice and a representative of Ogun State's Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency, made this statement during a discussion on the 27-year-old rapper's rights and royalties.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the singer's death, the Lagos Police exhumed his body on September 21 for an autopsy.

Babajimi Benson, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform who represents the Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos State, spoke during the interactive session and proposed a motion on Mohbad's behalf that was of urgent public significance.

Osoba emphasized the significance of collecting compensation and royalties, emphasizing that these payments are a source of income for artistes.

He bemoaned the fact that the current system in the Nigerian music industry does not safeguard musicians, especially the up-and-coming artistes, to make the most of their rights, especially during disputes with record firms.

It also emphasized the importance of acknowledging that young musicians frequently lack knowledge of their rights when signing contracts.

In order to ensure that Mohbad's royalties and other advantages are protected, Osoba added that the committee has asked for the pertinent information on his passing and the procedures to do so.

He said: “This inadequate awareness on the part of musical artists makes it difficult to get adequate compensation for their works, particularly during disagreements with their record labels.

“Additionally, there is a need to adapt the music industry to the digital age. While digital streaming platforms have revolutionised music consumption and distribution, young musicians often struggle to earn a substantial income due to outdated royalty structures.

“Advocating for revised royalty models that accurately reflect the value of music in the streaming era is essential.”

GA