The Nigerian music industry is on fire today, and it’s not because of a new hit song. Legendary folk singer Segun Akinlolu, popularly known as Beautiful Nubia, has sent shockwaves through the scene by publicly accusing gospel powerhouse Yinka Ayefele and rising star BBO of intellectual property theft!
At the heart of the drama is Beautiful Nubia’s 1997 timeless masterpiece, "Seven Lifes."
"Stealing is Stealing" – The Accusation
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, February 19, 2026, the veteran musician didn’t hold back. He alleged that both Ayefele and the new artiste, BBO, lifted the soul of his song—the melody—without asking for permission or giving a single drop of credit.
"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'," he wrote.
He didn't stop there. Beautiful Nubia took a direct jab at the gospel music industry, asking: "When will Nigerians, especially the so-called gospel musicians, learn to respect copyright?"
Ayefele Fires Back: "Online Stunts Don't Bother Me"
While BBO has remained silent, Yinka Ayefele has already responded, and he isn't losing any sleep over the claims. Speaking to the press, the Fresh FM boss questioned whether anyone can truly "own" a melody or a tone on a keyboard.
"Can one claim a melody or claim your copyright on lyrics and compositions? I don't respond to social media stunts," Ayefele stated, effectively dismissing the folk legend's claims as an attempt to get attention online.
Why This is a Big Deal
For those who don't know, "Seven Lifes" is considered one of the greatest folk songs out of Nigeria. For a veteran like Beautiful Nubia to come out after over 20 years to call out a legend like Ayefele shows that there is deep-seated anger regarding how "old school" music is being sampled or copied by modern stars without compensation.
🎧 The Comparison Test
The Original: Seven Lifes by Beautiful Nubia (1997)
The Alleged Copies: My Faith in God by Yinka Ayefele (2012) & Amin by BBO (2026)
💬 Join the Debate!
Do you think Ayefele is right that "nobody owns a melody," or should he have credited Beautiful Nubia for the inspiration? Drop your comments below!
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