Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a strong warning to celebrities, social media influencers and content creators, cautioning them against using public roads as filming locations for online content. The agency described the trend as illegal, reckless and a direct threat to lives.
The warning followed a viral video showing popular TikTok personality Peller live-streaming while driving, an act that reportedly resulted in a road crash. The incident sparked widespread concern and renewed debate over distracted driving and influencer responsibility.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, said recording, streaming or creating content behind the wheel severely distracts drivers and exposes passengers and other road users to danger. He stressed that such conduct violates existing traffic laws and would no longer be tolerated.
Mohammed disclosed that the Lagos State Sector Commander has been instructed to commence legal action against anyone found engaging in reckless driving, phone use while driving or other forms of distraction on the road, in line with the law.
The FRSC boss also appealed to actors’ guilds, entertainment bodies and influencer communities to educate their members on responsible driving, noting that public figures wield significant influence over young audiences.
“Celebrities and influencers have a strong influence on young people and should promote safety, not dangerous behaviour,” Mohammed said, warning that enforcement would apply equally, regardless of fame or social status.
Reiterating the agency’s stance, he said no social media trend, viral moment or online popularity is worth a human life, reminding Nigerians that roads are shared public spaces meant for safety, not content creation. He urged citizens to report dangerous driving to authorities.
