How Antar Laniyan’s Unusual Birth Experience Became the Origin of His Name

Nollywood veteran Antar Laniyan has opened up once again about the remarkable circumstances surrounding his birth — a story that eventually shaped the name he bears today.

Speaking on Behind The Fame, the actor recounted that his mother carried him far beyond the normal gestation period. According to the family’s account, he remained in the womb for an astonishing 18 months, a situation that caused deep concern among relatives who suspected that something beyond the physical might be involved.

Laniyan explained that, at the time, a traditional remedy was recommended for his mother. She was advised to consume a creature called “Anta” — a small, lizard-like animal in Yoruba culture — believed to help trigger labour. She followed the instruction, and shortly after eating it, she went into labour.

Sharing the emotional weight of the story, the actor emphasized the sacrifices mothers make, often unknown to their children. He noted that hearing such stories firsthand can make anyone appreciate the depth of a mother’s love.

He added that his mother later chose to incorporate the name of the creature into his own. However, when schoolmates began teasing him about it, he modified it by adding the letter R, which formed the name “Antar.”

Laniyan’s story has continued to resonate with fans, serving as both an intimate reflection on maternal sacrifice and a cultural reminder of how names often carry deep personal histories.