Veteran folk musician Segun Akinlolu, popularly known as Beautiful Nubia, has publicly accused gospel artists Yinka Ayefele and BBO of intellectual property theft. The singer alleges that both artists lifted the melody of his original song, Seven Lifes, without permission or credit.
The allegations were made on Beautiful Nubia’s official social media platforms, where he specifically cited Ayefele’s 2012 track, My Faith in God (Igbagbo Ireti), and BBO’s 2026 release, Amin. He claims both songs repurposed the melodic structure of his work.
“There was Yinka Ayefele with ‘My Faith in God (Igbagbo Ireti)’ in 2012 and now someone called BBO with ‘Amin’ this year. Both stole their melodies from our original song ‘Seven Lifes’. When will Nigerians (especially the so-called gospel musicians) learn to respect copyright?”
As of now, neither Yinka Ayefele nor BBO has issued a public response to the accusations. Beautiful Nubia’s outcry shines a spotlight on a broader issue in the Nigerian music industry: the appropriation of secular folk melodies by religious artists.
Known for his strict adherence to original compositions, Beautiful Nubia emphasized that this trend of uncredited usage undermines creativity and cultural preservation in music. He questions the ethics of gospel performers and urges Nigerian musicians to respect copyright laws.
The dispute remains unresolved, but Seven Lifes continues to be one of Beautiful Nubia’s most recognized works. With over a decade of instances where secular melodies have been reused without acknowledgment, the folk musician’s call for accountability may signal a growing push for stricter enforcement of intellectual property rights in Nigeria.
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