Growing population of ‘Baby daddies’ in Nigerian entertainment industry
Written by:
Joan Omonawele and Adeoluwa Atayero
One of the unwritten duties of celebrities in any society is the duty of coming up with new trends and fads. Although no one can ever place a finger on who starts a trend, it becomes truly trendy when a set of celebrities jump on the bandwagon. As the loyal and faithful fans that we are, we follow these trends. We become a part of the fad because who doesn’t want to be in vogue? The problem with these celebrity-driven trends is that there is no set of official rules or official body that regulates them. Celebrities can decide that almost anything — be it fashion or lifestyle choice — is trendy. It is then up to us to determine where the line will be and when it should be drawn. It is up to us to decide which trends we can adopt and which ones are better kept in Hollywood or Nollywood, wherever it might originate from.
This is a sentiment that we should keep in mind as we consider the latest trend by Nigerian celebrities. Many are calling it “The Baby Daddy Syndrome” and it is quickly spreading. It has broken borders and it is no longer simply a thing done by actors alone or musicians alone — every facet of the Nigerian entertainment scene has been infected by this syndrome. As mentioned earlier, we cannot place a finger on who started the trend or when the trend started, however, we can think back to our earliest memory of the trend. One of the pioneers of the Baby Daddy Syndrome would have to be 2Face Idibia. The fresh-faced ‘African Queen’ crooner made a career for himself by being a lady’s man so it should come as no surprise that ‘2Baba’ has had six babies from three different women. Yes, he eventually got married to the beautiful Annie Macaulay.
Since 2Face’s prime, many more young Nigerian entertainers have followed in his footsteps. Peter, from PSquare, has two children by one woman, while his brother Paul had a son, Andre, with his baby Mama, Anita, months after his brother. May D, Olamide, Timaya, Obafemi Martins, Flavour, Terry G, 9ice, Patoranking, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Oritse Femi, Davido and D’Prince are also part of the Baby Daddy Club. The Baby Daddy Club is a club that seemingly gets more star-studded by the minute but what does this say about the people we hail as celebrities?
Admittedly, it must be rather hard for these entertainers to maintain stable relationships and they definitely face more temptations than the average Chukwudi but are these excuses? When you sign up to be a celebrity, you sign up to be a role model also. There is no escaping the fact that you influence millions of people, especially in this age of social media. If this syndrome duly leaves Nollywood and becomes a status quo in our culture, the consequences will be unparalleled. It might seem like a long shot right now, but history has shown that the ridiculous becomes the norm in a matter of seconds. As mentioned earlier, we have a choice, do we keep this trend in Nollywood or do we welcome it to our society? What is our reply? Only time will tell.
Celebrities are trendsetters in whichever environments they find themselves. Even when they try hard to hide from this, it is inevitable for their fans not to find their actions fascinating and copy it.
These days, we find many celebrities bringing forth children out of wedlock and not settling down with their partners, and this trend is gradually enveloping the industry as many male celebrities are involved in it. Here are a few baby daddies in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Tu Face
The mouths of many were literally agape a few years ago when 2face Idibia was reported to have put three women in the family way six times.
But after sometime, 2face tied the knot with his longtime love and baby mama, Annie Idibia, who gave birth to another daughter for him two years ago.
Flavour
The ‘Ada Ada’ crooner may have caused ladies to sit up and wait till they will tie the knots with their husbands before they bring forth children with his wedding hit song ‘Ada Ada’, but that was not the case with Flavour, as he impregnated a beauty queen, Anna Banner, who he had been dating for a while.
The proud father celebrated the last Father’s Day by putting up his girlfriend’s picture up on Instagram.
Perhaps, he could give her a look-in for her to become his wife soon.
MAY D
May D stormed the industry with his hit track as a sure boy in 2013 when he was signed under Psquare’s Square Records but didn’t spend much time before he left Square Records.
According to reports, the musician had a baby boy with his girlfriend, Debola, in January 2013, but the lovers separated shortly after the baby was born on account of physical abuse from May D, an allegation which he denied in a recent interview.
Timaya
Popular musician, Timaya has a five-year-old daughter from his long time girlfriend and is always proud to show her off on Instagram.
Just when we thought Timaya was going to get married, reports came in that he was expecting another baby from the same woman.
The woman named Barbara had a baby shower in April and Nigerians are beginning to wonder why it is taking so long to make the lady in question his wife.
Wizkid
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete if we don’t mention the Kid who has a kid. Yes, it’s none other than the ‘Pakurumo’ singer, starboy Wizkid. When he sang, ‘I love my baby’ in 2011, the initial thought was that he was talking about his girlfriend, but now the belief is that he was singing to his child. Even though the young millionaire and silky-voiced singer had earlier denied the claims that he’s a father, he later admitted and has been celebrating God’s gift to him ever since.
Olamide
Olamide made a scene in 2014 when popular blogger, Linda Ikeji announced that he was expecting a baby from his girlfriend, Bunmi Okeowo. The rapper denied it and accused Ikeji of not posting his songs or celebrating his success but was quick to post rumours about him.
But just a year after, a baby boy arrived into the rapper’s home, and he christened him Batifeori in January 2015.
Ik Ogbonna
The Baby Daddy Syndrome has also hit Nollywood actor and model, IK Ogbonna, who impregnated his Colombian girlfriend.
Although he has not announced plans to get married later in the year, the actor never fails to profess his love for his woman on Instagram. No doubt, he is one of the most sought-after bachelors in the industry, we await his wedding announcement to the mother of his child soon.
D’Prince
Mavin Records superstar, DPrince joined the group of baby daddies when he announced that the birth of his son had made him a man.
Also known as Omoba, D’Prince recently welcomed a baby boy with his Cameroonian girlfriend, Inorie Fotso, in the month of June, and even though he is not married, the singer said the arrival of his son has added purpose to his life.
Taking to Instagram, DPrince said: ‘There comes a time when a boy has to become a man. The love of my life just gave me a baby boy. To God be the glory. Now, I feel my life has a purpose.”
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