Nollywood icon Antar Laniyan has sparked massive reactions online after revealing the extraordinary story behind both his birth and his famous name.
The respected actor shared the emotional account during an interview on Behind The Fame, where he opened up about his late mother and the unusual circumstances surrounding his arrival into the world.
Actor Says He Spent 18 Months in His Mother’s Womb
According to Laniyan, his mother told him he remained in her womb for as long as 18 months—far beyond the normal pregnancy duration.
The prolonged delay caused fear and confusion in their community, with many believing the situation must have had spiritual implications.
How His Mother Ate a Creature Called “Anta” Before Giving Birth
The filmmaker recounted that his mother was advised to eat a creature known in Yoruba as “Anta,” a lizard-like animal believed to help induce labour. Out of desperation, she agreed.
The meal was prepared for her, and astonishingly, just one hour after she ate it, she gave birth to him.
Why His Mother Named Him After the Creature
Because of this rare experience, his mother chose to name him Anta, in honour of the creature she believed helped bring him safely into the world.
Laniyan said the name reminds him of the sacrifices mothers make—a story he proudly shares to highlight the strength and resilience of women.
How “Anta” Became “Antar”
The actor revealed that he later modified the name.
While in primary school, classmates often teased him for being called Anta. To avoid the bullying, he added the letter “R,” transforming it into the now-famous name Antar.
His Words
“There’s a story behind my name, and I like telling it because people need to understand the importance of a good mother.
I overstayed in my mother’s womb—18 months, according to her. People thought something had gone wrong.
She was advised to eat something called Anta. She took it, and an hour later, I was born.
When I got to primary school and my friends were making fun of the name, I added an ‘R’ to make it Antar.”
Social Media Reacts to Viral Video
The revelation has gone viral, with fans expressing shock at the unusual circumstances and praising the actor for honoring his mother’s sacrifice. Many commenters described the story as both emotional and inspiring.
Watch the video below…
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