Video of actress Barnabas’ infant steering moving car sparks safety concerns

Nigerians have called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to invite Nollywood actress Yetunde Barnabas for questioning and suspend her driving licence after a video showing her infant son struggling with the steering wheel while she drove went viral.
In the video, she was heard saying, “My son is driving; he’s now a big boy.”

The video, posted on November 8, 2026, showed the actress driving without wearing a seat belt while her son struggled with the vehicle’s steering wheel.
In Nigeria, placing a toddler on the steering wheel or on the driver’s lap while driving is classified as multiple high-risk traffic offences.

Under Nigerian traffic law, children under the age of 12 (or 16, depending on state regulations) are prohibited from sitting in the front seat.
A child restraint violation (CRV) attracts a fine of N3,000 and six penalty points. The law also requires toddlers and young infants to be properly secured in approved, age-appropriate car seats in the back seat, a requirement the actress allegedly failed to observe.

Placing a child between the driver and the steering wheel constitutes a highly unsafe act that severely compromises vehicle control and could amount to reckless or dangerous driving.
Additionally, in the event of an accident, an inflating airbag could cause fatal or catastrophic injuries to a toddler trapped between the driver and the steering wheel.

Following criticism online, the actress removed the video while playing down the severity of the incident.
In a shorter video posted on social media, she wrote: “First video deleted cause I no wan any negative comment. I was driving beside the house, not on the main road. Eshe Eku Ife. Use the same energy now to celebrate the birthday boy in a few days.

“See who is turning Big ONE in a few days’ time, Gianni Olayinka in Abit. My heartbeat will be ONE on Nov 12. Can’t wait.”
Reacting, Hafisat Oridedi, said: “First, the safety of that infant. One minor collision could have devastating consequences. Airbags deploy with tremendous force and can cause serious or even fatal injuries to infants and young children. That’s exactly why children should never be placed in the front seat, especially an infant who should be properly secured in a rear-facing car seat in the back.

“Second, the safety of the mother herself. In the event of an accident, she would be caught between trying to protect herself, save her baby, and maintain control of the vehicle. That’s a dangerous situation no parent should willingly put themselves in.
Third, the safety of the other passengers who were busy filming and participating in this senseless act instead of recognizing just how dangerous the situation was. Their lives were equally at risk.
“And finally, the safety of the general public.

Innocent families driving in their own cars, minding their business, completely unaware that someone nearby was being reckless behind the wheel for the sake of entertainment and social media content.
This isn’t about being judgmental or not knowing how to have fun. It’s about common sense, responsibility, and understanding that your actions can have life-altering consequences for people who never signed up to be part of your recklessness.

Not everything needs to be turned into content. Some things simply aren’t worth the risk, especially when innocent lives are involved.”
A netizen, Mobolaji, who reacted to the incident, said: “And the right authority will see this, and not think of persecuting her? She’s supposed to know better. In a country where penalties are stiff, she will never try this. Until the law pays no regard to status or power, it will always be dared.”

Olufunmi Akadiri wrote: “She should be arrested and lose custody of that kid. But we are a lawless country, so instead of rebuke, people will be praising her for this rubbish. She is endangering her life, her kid and everyone else on the road.”
Victoria wrote: “In a sane country, she would be dealing with child protection services, licence ban, vehicle impoundment and demerit points.”

Seyi Ekun responded: “How did this video get to the Internet? They didn’t think this was so wrong that they posted it online?”
Reacting, British-Nigerian physician, Dr Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, said: “This is wrong, stupid and unsafe. It’s a serious risk to herself, to her son and to the public at large.

“This nonsense can easily go wrong, cause an accident and lead to the death of the child, her own death or the death of an innocent road user or pedestrian just because a reckless mother wants to do a social media video.
“In a sane country, this video should be getting her a date with child safety and social services, and they will be questioning if she’s fit to be a parent.”

FRSC spokesperson Osondu Ohaeri was yet to respond to an enquiry on the incident as at the time of filing this report.