Article Was Last Updated August 25, 2026
Innocent Ujah Idibia, known professionally as 2Baba, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur. He was born on September 18, 1975, in Jos, Plateau State, and his family comes from Benue State.
He started making music in Enugu before gaining national attention with Plantashun Boiz. Tuface later pursued a solo career, founded Hypertek Entertainment and took on humanitarian and government roles.
2Baba’s Early Life and Education
2Baba attended Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School in Makurdi before enrolling at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, for a preliminary National Diploma course in Business Administration and Management.
While at IMT, he performed at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Enugu State University of Science and Technology school events and recorded radio jingles for the GB Fan Club on Enugu State Broadcasting Services. He also met Blackface and Faze, who later joined him in Plantashun Boiz.
Plantashun Boiz
2Baba, Blackface and Faze formed Plantashun Boiz in Enugu. The pair first gained attention after appearing on Tony Tetuila’s “Omode Meta” with Ruff Rugged N Raw in 1998 before Faze joined and they formally became Plantashun Boiz in 2000. They moved to Lagos before signing with Dove Records and released their debut album, Body and Soul, in 2000.
The group followed with Sold Out in 2003, featuring “One and Only”, “Let U Go” and “Situation”. Idibia then signed with Kennis Music and left Plantashun Boiz in 2004 to pursue a solo career, while Faze and Blackface started theirs.
After the split, Faze addressed the fallout through “Faze Alone” in 2004, while Idibia responded with “U No Holy Pass” on Face 2 Face. Idibia later appealed for peace through “See Me So” on Grass 2 Grace.
The three musicians reunited in 2007 and recorded Plan B. Music distributor TJoe financed the project and said he spent about ₦65 million on recording, videos, promotion, the album launch and payments to the artists. He later attributed problems during the project to disagreements among the members.
The disagreements later centred on songwriting credits and royalties. Blackface challenged credits connected to “African Queen” and “Let Somebody Love You”, while 2Baba’s management rejected claims that he took Blackface’s work.
Blackface revived the name in 2025 with The Return after 2Baba declined an invitation to feature on the project. Faze appeared on the album, leaving Blackface and Faze on the recording without 2Baba.
The following December, 2Baba and Faze performed together at the Made in Benue Festival. 2Baba said Faze had no involvement in his dispute with Blackface.
In April 2026, 2Baba ruled out another Plantashun Boiz reunion. He said he had no grudge against his former bandmates but had moved on from the group.
2Baba’s Solo Career
After Plantashun Boiz broke up, Idibia signed with Kennis Music and released Face 2 Face in 2004.
The album featured African Queen, Nfana Ibaga and Ole. African Queen later appeared in the soundtrack of the 2006 American film Phat Girlz.
Idibia released Grass 2 Grace in 2006. The album featured True Love and For Instance, and he won the MOBO Award for Best African Act in 2007.
2Baba’s Albums and Hypertek Entertainment
Idibia established Hypertek Entertainment after leaving Kennis Music.
He released The Unstoppable in 2009, Away and Beyond in 2012 and The Ascension in 2014.
The Unstoppable featured R. Kelly and Sound Sultan. The album won Album of the Year and Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies.
Idibia later changed his stage name from 2Face Idibia to 2Baba.
He released Warriors in 2020, featuring Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and Olamide. He has released singles since then but has not released another major studio album.
2Baba’s Awards and International Collaborations
2Baba has won the MOBO Award for Best African Act, BET Award for Best International Act: Africa and MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act.
He also won Artist of the Year and Best Male at the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards. The Nigerian government later awarded him the national honour Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
His international collaborations include Wyclef Jean, Beenie Man, Machel Montano and R. Kelly.
2Baba’s Humanitarian Work and Benue Appointment
2Baba has worked with the Nigerian Red Cross, NAFDAC and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
In 2017, he announced plans for a nationwide protest over insecurity and poor governance before cancelling the event over security concerns.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia appointed him Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach in April 2025.
In August 2026, he took part in a Benue outreach programme that included a talent hunt, community projects and a concert.
2Baba’s Marriage and Children
2Baba married actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia in 2012. They have two daughters, Isabella and Olivia.
In January 2025, he announced their separation and plans for divorce. He later confirmed his relationship with Natasha Osawaru, an Edo State politician.
He proposed to Natasha in February 2025. They held a traditional wedding ceremony in July and welcomed a son in November.
2Baba has eight children. He has two with Annie, two sons with Sumbo Ajaba-Adeoye and three with Pero Adeniyi, while Natasha is the mother of his youngest child.
In February 2026, he discussed raising eight children while managing his work.
2Baba’s Music Catalogue
2Baba’s major albums include Face 2 Face, Grass 2 Grace, The Unstoppable, Away and Beyond, The Ascension and Warriors.
His songs include African Queen, True Love, For Instance, Nfana Ibaga, Ole, No Shaking, One Love, Only Me, Holy Holy, Amaka and Opo.
