By Milcah Tanimu
Nigerian comedian Ali Baba recently shared the surprising news of becoming a father to triplet sons at the age of 59. In a candid interview on the Leadership Podcast, he discussed how this unexpected arrival came to be.
Ali Baba revealed that his wife, Mary Bassey-Akpobome, had always wanted a son after previously giving birth to two daughters. The couple decided to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF) to expand their family. “Triplets o! I thought it was April Fools too,” he admitted, reflecting on his shock at the news.
He explained their journey, noting that Mary had previously expressed a desire to adopt children, especially after their own kids had grown up and left home. “We have the triplets via IVF; one truth is the nest becomes empty after the children leave,” he shared. Their grown children are now successful graduates, with two residing in the UK and two in Canada.
The journey took an unexpected turn when the couple decided to implant two embryos. “Then one of the eggs split into two, and that’s how we had triplets. When she and the doctor realized it had become three, they didn’t want to tell me,” Ali Baba recounted.
The comedian also reflected on the reactions to his initial announcement. He shared the news of the triplets on April Fool’s Day in 2024, which led to confusion among his followers. Many thought it was a joke, while others congratulated him, albeit uncertainly. The skepticism was resolved when pictures and videos from the triplet’s dedication ceremony circulated on social media the following month.
Ali Baba’s story highlights the surprises of parenthood and the joys that come with unexpected blessings.
