Veteran Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has publicly declared a firm personal policy against extensive road travel within Nigeria, citing significant safety and infrastructural concerns.
The Lagos-Ibadan Boundary
In a recent interview with media personality VJ Adams, the screen diva established a clear geographical limit for her road journeys. Shaffy Bello stated she will not undertake any Nigerian road trip that extends farther than the distance from Lagos to Ibadan. She emphasized that this decision is not rooted in laziness or a desire for convenience but is solely based on her assessment of risk and personal peace of mind.
The actress drew a sharp contrast between her experiences abroad and at home. "I prefer water and air transportation. I don't like road trips. I can do road trips abroad but in Nigeria, no, thank you," Bello explained. She pointed to the combination of poor road conditions and prevailing security challenges as the major factors making her feel unsafe and uneasy on long-distance Nigerian roads.
Social Repercussions of Her Stance
Bello's strict travel rule has had tangible effects on her social and professional life. She admitted that turning down invitations to events requiring long road travel has caused her to miss numerous weddings, celebrations, and important gatherings.
Her position is now so well-known among her circle that friends and associates have adapted. "And everybody knows me now. They go, 'Don't invite her, she won't come.' Once it is farther than Ibadan, count me out," the actress revealed with a hint of humour. She noted that the only exception to her rule would be for someone "extremely dear" to her, but such cases are rare.
Public Reaction to Her Comments
Following the interview, social media users shared mixed reactions to Bello's candid admission. While some empathized deeply with her concerns, others questioned the relative safety of alternative transport modes.
User @OlaDesire__ commented on the social tag now associated with Bello, while @Kolawole93 humorously noted, "You don't like road trips, you prefer flight and water, mummy you fit be Spider-Man cousin or Iyemọja associate ooo… because those options dey more deadly pass road trips." Others, like @in0sl33p, completely agreed, stating, "I swear! Anything wey don dey pass Ibadan/Ogun state, make we do video call instead abeg!!!"
Despite the lighter online banter, Bello's comments highlight a serious and widespread issue faced by many Nigerians: the daunting prospect of long-distance road travel due to infrastructural decay and security fears. Her personal policy, while affecting her social connectivity, underscores a prioritization of personal safety that resonates with a significant portion of the populace.
