The Lagos State Government announced plans to institute legislation granting Nigerian artists access to their full royalties from record labels, addressing the concerns raised after the untimely passing of popular artist Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad.
In an interview with the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) in Lagos, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, expressed the government’s commitment to revamping the entertainment industry for emerging artists.
“One of our key focuses in the ministry is the music industry. We aim to establish regulations to guide artists properly,” Benson-Awoyinka stated. “We’ve learned from Mohbad’s case; we must take responsibility and intervene. We will ensure fair legal agreements and documentation for artists.”
Highlighting the need for fair compensation, she added, “It’s tragic to see a rising star like Mohbad pass away while others profit from his music. We will prevent this in Lagos; the government will safeguard artists’ rights to royalties, preventing such tragedies from recurring.”
The Commissioner emphasized that the government’s role is pivotal in safeguarding artists’ interests and ensuring fair compensation, vowing to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
