They Stole My Melody – Beautiful Nubia Accuses Gospel Singers BBO, Yinka Ayefele Of Copyright Theft

Folk musician, Segun Akinlolu popularly known as Beautiful Nubia has accused gospel artistes Yinka Ayefele and BBO of using the melody of his song ‘Seven Lifes’ without his permission.

National Daily News reports that Beautiful Nubia said that Ayefele’s 2012 song ‘My Faith in God (Igbagbo Ireti)’ and BBO’s 2026 release ‘Amin’ borrowed key elements from his 1997 track.

He raised the issue in a post on his social media page, questioning the respect for copyright among gospel musicians in Nigeria.

He wrote: “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?”

So far, neither Ayefele nor BBO has responded publicly to the allegation.

Beautiful Nubia has been a figure in Nigerian music since the late 1990s.

He released his first album in 1997 and has gained recognition for his folk and traditional music.

He is also the founder of the EniObanke Music Festival, which celebrates folk and roots music each year.