The House of Representatives has assured that they will ensure the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, receives proper compensation and royalties from his music.
The Chairman House Committee on Justice MrOlumide Osoba, made this commitment during 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 a member from Lagos state Babajimi Benson to secure the royalties of Mohbad’s song.
Mr Osoba emphasised the significance of securing compensation and royalties, acknowledging that these payments are essential sources of income for musicians.
He said that such will enable artists to sustain their careers, create new music, and build a future within the industry.
He however, said that the current system often falls short in adequately protecting and providing for young musicians concerning their royalty rights.
“Many emerging artists face challenges when negotiating fair royalty agreements, particularly when dealing with major record labels, which often wield significant power and can impose unfavorable terms, resulting in artists receiving only a fraction of the royalties they deserve.
“It is crucial to recognise that young musicians are often not well-informed about their rights when entering into contracts.
According to him, to address these issues, it is vital to work towards implementing stronger regulations and support systems within the industry.
This he observed includes advocating for more transparent and standardized contracts for all artists, irrespective of their age or experience, to level the playing field and prevent the exploitation of young talent.
He added that efforts should be made to provide accessible legal advice and assistance to young musicians through organizations, unions, or educational programs.
The Lawmaker assured that the committee is committed to this responsibility, adding that they have requested relevant information regarding the circumstances of his death and the measures in place to secure his royalties and other benefits,.
This he said is with a deadline of next week to expedite their action on this assignment.
The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) attended the session too.