Nollywood actor Ebisan Arayi has revealed the powerful family force that ignited his lifelong passion for acting, crediting his mother, veteran actress and television personality Iyabo Lawani, as the spark that set him on the path from childhood curiosity to the big screen.
Speaking on the Conversations With Kenni podcast hosted by Kehinde Ajose, Arayi shared a heartfelt recollection of how seeing his mother on television planted the seed for his career.
“My mother is Iyabo Lawani. The Iyabo Lawani. She was an actress and a TV host for the Maggi Family Menu and ran that program for 14 years. She taught quite a number of Millennials today and the generation a bit older than the Millennials… Before all the social media influencers that call themselves chefs these days came around, my mother has been and is a chef,” he said.
The young actor described the pure childhood wonder that followed. While staying at his grandmother’s house, he would watch his mother appear on screen and then search for her behind the television set.
“That was how young I was then when I started saying ‘I wanted to be in that box too.’ That’s how far back I’ve always wanted to be on TV. About 5/6 years old. My mom influenced my life in acting since then.”
Arayi also paid tribute to his grandmother’s remarkable gift of languages, noting she could speak about 13 different Nigerian languages. Watching her versatility left a lasting impression on him and added another layer of cultural richness to his upbringing.
His early exposure went beyond the living room. Charly Boy’s production company, New Wave Productions, became a second home during school holidays.
“Whenever I was on holidays, I went to the studio with my mom. I basically grew up around cameras, lights, mics, and everything,” he recalled.
“Growing up in spaces like that, you know that you’re going to veer into that area by hook or by crook. It’s only about 10% chance that people with that background won’t veer into that same space.”
That immersive environment paid off. He recounted how a childhood friend who later moved to Germany recently reached out after watching one of his films, Two Can Play, online. The friend told him he had always known Arayi would be the one among their group to stick with acting.
Today, Ebisan Arayi continues to build his reputation in Nollywood with roles in projects such as Hey You!, Perfect Neighbour, Baby Farm, and The House of Secrets. His story stands as a clear example of how early family influence and constant proximity to the craft can shape a lasting career.
From a little boy searching behind the television for his famous mother to a working actor carving his own path, Arayi’s journey remains deeply rooted in the inspiration he found at home.