Veteran Nigerian folk singer Beautiful Nubia (real name Segun Akinlolu) has publicly accused gospel music star Yinka Ayefele and fast-rising act BBO of copyright infringement, claiming they stole the melody of his classic 1997 hit song “Seven Lifes” without permission or credit.
In a strongly worded post on his verified X account on Thursday, February 19, 2026, the folk icon expressed deep frustration and disappointment, tagging both artistes and demanding accountability.
Beautiful Nubia’s X Post: “I am pained and disappointed. Yinka Ayefele and BBO have taken the melody of my song ‘Seven Lifes’ (1997) without a single word of credit, permission or compensation. This is not inspiration this is theft. I built this song with sweat, soul and originality. To take it and act like it’s yours is wrong. I call on both of them to do the right thing. Credit where credit is due. This is about integrity in our industry.”
The post quickly gained traction, sparking widespread reactions from music fans, industry stakeholders and copyright advocates. Many expressed shock, while others called for a formal investigation by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and urged both Ayefele and BBO to respond.
“Seven Lifes” is one of Beautiful Nubia’s most enduring tracks from his early catalogue, known for its soulful melody, philosophical lyrics and distinctive folk instrumentation.
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Listeners familiar with the songs have pointed out striking similarities in the main hook and chord progression between Nubia’s original and the tracks in question by Ayefele and BBO (specific song titles by the accused artistes were not mentioned in the post but are believed to be recent releases).
Beautiful Nubia is known for his principled stance on originality and has previously spoken out against intellectual property theft in the Nigerian music industry.
Beautiful Nubia has not yet filed a formal complaint with the Nigerian Copyright Commission but hinted in follow-up posts that “all options remain on the table” if the matter is not amicably resolved.
The controversy has once again brought the long-standing issue of melody and song theft in Nigerian music to the forefront, with many calling for stronger copyright enforcement and respect for original works.
This is a developing story. DDNewsOnline will update as responses from the accused parties or official actions emerge.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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