Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actor Ladi Folarin has opened up about a deeply personal experience from his teenage years that significantly altered the course of his life and ultimately led to his relocation abroad. Speaking in an interview with FeelRightNews TV, the actor reflected on a mistake he made as a young boy, which resulted in an unplanned pregnancy involving a girl from his neighborhood.

Folarin explained that the situation was never deliberate, noting that both he and the girl were quite young and unprepared for the consequences of their actions. However, once news of the pregnancy spread within the community, the circumstances quickly became overwhelming. Rather than receiving support, he found himself subjected to ridicule, particularly from peers he had considered close friends.

He recalled how one of his friends began mockingly referring to him as Baba Ibeji, a Yoruba expression meaning father of twins. What may have seemed like casual teasing at first gradually intensified, leaving him feeling humiliated and emotionally distressed. According to Folarin, the persistent mockery created an environment he found unbearable.

Reflecting on that period, the actor admitted that the negative reactions he received played a significant role in shaping his decision to avoid responsibility at the time. He believes that if he and the young woman had been treated with understanding rather than ridicule, he might have chosen to stay and embrace fatherhood despite the challenges.

Instead, the pressure drove him to leave the country. By the time the child was born, Folarin had already traveled to London, effectively distancing himself from the situation. The child was later named Bidemi, a name that translates to he was born in my absence, symbolizing the circumstances surrounding the birth.

In his words: “I mistakenly got a girl on our street pregnant. It was not intentional. We were both young then. When it happened, even my friend in the neighbourhood started calling me Baba Ibeji, meaning father of twins. If my friends had not mocked me and the girl then, I would have seriously thought about fatherhood. In the end, the child was named Bidemi, meaning he was born when I was not at home. I was not there because I ran away. I travelled to London.”

His account offers a candid reflection on youthful mistakes, societal pressure, and the long-term impact of decisions made under emotional strain.

Watch the interview below from 30:41 to 32:25 timestamp;