Antar Laniyan explains why his mother called him Lizard
Antar Laniyan explains why his mother called him Lizard
Nollywood veteran Antar Laniyan has stirred reactions on social media after sharing the unusual and emotional story behind his name.
The actor made the revelation during an appearance on Behind The Fame, where he spoke about his late mother and the extraordinary steps she took before his birth.
“I Stayed 18 Months in Her Womb” – Actor Reveals
Laniyan explained that, according to his mother, he remained in her womb for 18 months, far longer than the usual pregnancy period.
The prolonged delay left people around his mother worried, with many suspecting a spiritual issue rather than a medical one.
His Mother Ate a Creature Called “Anta”
In the interview, the filmmaker said his mother was advised to eat a creature known in Yoruba as “Anta,” a lizard-like animal believed to help induce labor.
She agreed, the dish was prepared for her, and just an hour after she ate it, he was born.
Why She Gave Him the Name
Because of this rare experience, his mother decided to name him after the creature.
Laniyan said the name carries a deep story, one he proudly shares to remind people of the sacrifices mothers make.
He noted that many people never truly understand what their mothers went through before giving birth to them.
How “Anta” Became “Antar”
The actor also revealed that the original name didn’t stay the same. When he got to primary school, classmates teased him over it, so he added the letter “R” to make it Antar, the version everyone knows today.
In his words: “There’s a story behind it, and I like telling it at times because I want every individual to know the importance of having a mother: a good mother, a great one.
