Nollywood actress Yetunde Barnabas, popularly known as Miss Pepeiye, has sparked widespread controversy on social media after sharing a video showing her infant son holding the steering wheel of a moving car.
The actress, who appeared to be enjoying a playful moment with her little boy, shared the clip on Instagram, where she jokingly introduced him as a young driver who would soon celebrate his first birthday.
In the viral footage, the actress is seen with her son sitting on her lap while he grips the steering wheel as the vehicle moves. She could also be heard joking about her son being a big boy who was already learning to drive.
However, what appeared to be a harmless mother-and-son moment quickly turned into a heated online debate, with many Nigerians questioning her judgement and raising serious concerns about the child’s safety.
Several social media users described the incident as irresponsible and dangerous, arguing that allowing a baby to sit on a driver’s lap and interfere with the steering wheel could have disastrous consequences.
Some critics went as far as calling on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant authorities to investigate the incident. Others demanded that the actress face legal consequences, with some even suggesting that her driver’s licence should be withdrawn.
One major concern raised by viewers was the possibility of an unexpected accident, sudden braking or airbag deployment, which could put the little boy’s life at serious risk.
Interestingly, not everyone agreed with the criticism. Some social media users came to the actress’s defence, arguing that she appeared to be in control of the vehicle and suggesting that the incident might have happened within a private residential estate.
Nevertheless, the controversy has reignited conversations about responsible parenting, child safety and the growing pressure on celebrities to create entertaining social media content.
While celebrities often share special family moments with fans, many Nigerians believe that safety should never be sacrificed for viral content.
For Yetunde Barnabas, a video intended to capture a playful family moment has unexpectedly become a major talking point, leaving social media users divided over where to draw the line between harmless fun and dangerous behaviour.
The debate continues, with many insisting that when children are involved, safety must always come first.
