The public call-out by Nigerian folk singer Segun Akinlolu, popularly known as Beautiful Nubia, accusing gospel artistes Yinka Ayefele and Bakare Boluwatife Oluwatobi (Minister BBO) of stealing the melody of his 1997 hit song “Seven Lifes” has elicited diverse reactions across social media platforms.

Beautiful Nubia, in an Instagram post on Thursday, claimed that Ayefele, in a track titled ‘Igbagbo Ireti’ (My Faith in God) and BBO, in a 2026 song titled ‘Amin’, ‘stole’ his melody.

“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 Lives,” Beautiful Nubia posted.

The folk artist argued that using another’s melody without permission is tantamount to copyright violation.

Reacting to the allegation, Ayefele queried the scope of the copyright claim, emphasising that elements such as melody or instrumental tones are not easily owned.

Some social media users, however, questioned Beautiful Nibia’s claim, arguing that inspiration or creative work cannot exist without a prior model. 

An X user, @surveyor_tunji, said, “Inspirations are gotten from past inspirations. That is how life works. Was your song sung word-for-word? If it does, you can sue. But if not, there’s nothing wrong with it. Billions of people on earth, what you have in mind, someone already did it; that is how recreation comes in.”

Dissenting, a Facebook user, Dare Adekanmbi, said, “Stole your melody? I disagree. In literature, there is the theory of intertextuality, which, in this context, means that your melody is a product of other people’s melodies. Taking it further, the Bible says there is nothing new under the sun.”

Mike Olatunbosun, also a Facebook user, questioned whether a melody could be an intellectual property.

“I mean, if we trace sounds in the past, we won’t find a song that one of your songs sounds like? I have much love and respect for you, sir, but on this? I don’t know how to place it.”

Another Facebook user, Gbenga Oyelakin, argued that creative compositions could be similar, despite no interactions among composers.

“People receive inspirations from different places, and these inspirations can seem similar. And it’s 100 per cent possible that the alleged persons have never encountered your work before. It is very possible!” he stated.

On X, a user, @s_olufowose, noted that Beautiful Nubia’s claim of similarity could not be deemed “sufficient to nail a copyright infringement claim,” arguing that two similar musical rhythms or notes do not translate to a violation.

However, some social media users have rallied behind the folk artiste, berating the disregard for copyright protection among Nigerians and members of the creative industries.

A user with the account @pholookeh on X noted that copyright violations have become common and undervalued because perpetrators are not challenged.

“By the time you sue for copyright infringement while seeking remedies like damages and an account of profit. It will serve as a deterrent,” @pholookeh stated. 

Another X user, @OD_Lawal, said, “Beautiful Nubia’s concerns are very valid. The first time I listened to Amin, I could tell there was some kind of interpolation, but I believed BBO and team would have done the right thing.”

The user added, “This is quite a common practice in the gospel industry. There’s often little regard for copyright infringement, with some artistes hiding behind the claim that it was ‘inspired by the Holy Spirit.’ Interpolation clearly occurred in the song, and yes, it should have been cleared before release. Gospel artistes need professionals on their teams. Selah.”

Emphasising the need for due credit, X user @BF_comms said, “Copyright conversations in music deserve clarity and professionalism. Melodies carry identity, and when similarities occur, proper credit, clearance, and transparency protect everyone involved. Respect for intellectual property isn’t just legal; it preserves credibility.

A user in a Facebook post, Olukunle Akinrinade, noted that Beautiful Nubia was within his right to seek protection for his original work while denouncing how Nigerians underestimate the legal implications of using the creative efforts of other artistes without authorisation.

“I just listened to the BBO’s Amin track. The gospel singer actually sampled the melodic structure and partly the lyrics of Beautiful Nubia’s Seven Life hit song,” Akinrinade said, stressing that the musician could sue BBO for copyright violation.

“Beautiful Nubia has given us decades of authentic, original music that pays homage to our roots. To hear these imitators strip the melody of ‘Seven Lifes’ of its soul and repackage it as pop-gospel is a disgrace. We will always recognise the real architect of the sound,” another X user, @Skillbanj_, reacted.

Also, a social media influencer, Tosin Odoje, in a Facebook post, called on Ayefele to address the issue and exercise humility in resolving it.

Mr Odoje stated, “I don’t think there is anything Dr Yinka Ayefele has not achieved in terms of career success. At his age, legacy and a good name should matter. But while growing, everyone makes mistakes. Dr Ayefele needs to manage his case with Beautiful Nubia very well.

“It’s just one of those things. When I first listened to ‘Igbagbo ireti’ by Yinka Ayefele, I immediately felt like I knew the song before. It was not until later that it was traced to ‘Seven lifes’ by Beautiful Nubia. Humility can settle this issue silently.”