After Years of Silence, 2Baba Finally Joins Made in Benue — But Why Now?

When we talk about Innocent Ujah Idibia — 2Baba — we’re not just talking about one of Africa’s biggest music icons. We’re talking about a boy who grew up in Benue classrooms, walked the dusty streets of Makurdi, and carried the rhythms of Tiv and Idoma culture in his veins. His primary and secondary school days were spent in Makurdi, including Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School, before moving on to Enugu where he enrolled at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) to study Business Administration. It was during his time at IMT that he began composing songs, recording jingles at Enugu State Broadcasting Services, and laying the foundation for Plantashun Boiz. Alongside Blackface and Faze, the group was born in Enugu — a collective that would later dominate Nigeria’s music scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Enugu gave him wings, but Benue remained his roots, and expectations were very high when he later signed with Kennis Music. Many believed that with Kennis’ powerful platform and 2Baba’s talent, Benue would finally have its entertainment industry spotlighted. But that didn’t happen. His career soared nationally and internationally, yet Benue remained in the shadows, and the promise of lifting homegrown artists never materialized.

When he eventually came on board as a rising star, Senator George Akume was among those who supported him in ways he could, showing goodwill and encouragement. But despite that support, 2Baba didn’t step forward to amplify Benue’s entertainment scene. He rose to fame, yes, but he left Benue artists behind. Not one was lifted to stardom through his influence, and that is a hard truth we have to discuss. On social media, 2Baba has always been active — posting, engaging, sharing his music, and sometimes weighing in on national issues. Yet scroll through his pages and you’ll notice something missing: Benue. For years, he rarely spotlighted the talent from his own state. It was as if his digital megaphone was tuned everywhere else but home. Then suddenly, he joined forces with Odwoods to headline Made in Benue. And let’s be honest — his presence changed everything. The event became one of the best since its inception, proving the sheer weight of his name. But it also raises the question: why now? Why wait until the “code” wasn’t hot anymore before coming back to embrace Benue?

Now, as the advisor on entertainment to the Governor of Benue State, 2Baba has no excuse. This role demands more than appearances. It demands mentorship, investment, and consistent promotion of Benue talent. He has the networks, the reach, and the influence. What Benue expects from him going forward is clear: he must use his platform to push Benue artists into the spotlight, bring industry attention and opportunities to the state, and make Made in Benue not just a one‑off success but a lasting movement. We’re discussing 2Baba here not to dismiss his achievements, but to hold him accountable to his roots. Benue gave him his foundation. Enugu gave him his breakthrough. Kennis Music gave him the stage. But Benue still waited. And now that he’s finally here, the state deserves more than symbolic gestures. It deserves action, consistency, and a legacy that proves he didn’t forget where he came from.