Shaffy Bello Sets Firm Travel Boundaries Amid Safety Concerns

In the glamour-filled world of Nollywood, where red-carpet events and high-profile social gatherings are the lifeblood of the industry, screen icon Shaffy Bello has revealed a surprisingly strict personal policy that keeps her grounded—or rather, airborne. During a recent and refreshingly candid sit-down with popular media personality VJ Adams on the Off The Top podcast, the actress made it clear that she has drawn a definitive line in the sand when it comes to navigating Nigeria’s vast landscape. For Bello, the romanticized notion of a Nigerian road trip is a non-starter, citing a cocktail of infrastructural decay and escalating security anxieties as the primary reasons for her refusal to ply the nation’s highways.

The veteran performer, known for her impeccable style and commanding screen presence, explained that while she finds the experience of road travel exhilarating when she is abroad, the Nigerian context offers a much grimmer reality. In her view, the unpredictability of the country’s road networks has transformed what should be a leisurely journey into a high-stakes gamble. Consequently, she has adopted a travel philosophy that prioritizes the relative speed of the skies and the tranquility of the waterways. “I prefer water and air transportation,” she stated with the kind of finality that suggests this isn’t a new development, but a long-standing survival strategy.

Interestingly, Bello has established a very specific geographical limit for her overland excursions: the Lagos-to-Ibadan corridor. This roughly two-hour stretch of road represents the absolute maximum she is willing to endure. Anything beyond that boundary is met with a polite but firm “no, thank you.” She admitted that this rigid stance has become a well-known fact within her social and professional circles, leading to a significant shift in how she is perceived and invited to engagements. Her friends and colleagues have apparently internalized her “no-road” rule, often pre-emptively deciding not to invite her to events that require long-distance driving because they already know her response: “she won’t come.”

While some might view this as a Diva-esque demand, Bello frames it as a matter of personal well-being and risk management. The actress noted that her aversion to long-distance road travel has undeniably shrunk her social circle and limited her participation in out-of-town festivities. However, she remains unapologetic, suggesting that only a person “extremely dear” to her heart could ever convince her to break her self-imposed ban. This high threshold for road travel highlights the depth of her concern regarding highway insecurity and the grueling nature of long-haul trips on poorly maintained infrastructure.

Bello’s comments touch on a broader sentiment shared by many affluent Nigerians and public figures who have increasingly abandoned the highways in favor of domestic flights or private charters. The rise in banditry, kidnapping, and the sheer physical exhaustion caused by hours in gridlock or navigating potholes has made road travel a last resort for those who can afford alternatives. By voicing these concerns so publicly, Bello has put a famous face on a growing middle-class and elite anxiety about the state of the nation’s connectivity.

For the star of The Black Book and Chief Daddy, the trade-off is simple: she would rather miss out on a social event or a potential business opportunity than compromise her peace of mind or safety on a long Nigerian highway. Her social life may have taken a hit, but she seems to have found a comfortable equilibrium in her “Lagos-Ibadan” bubble. As she continues to dominate the screen, her message to event planners and distant relatives is unmistakable: if it’s farther than Ibadan, you had better book a flight, find a boat, or expect her absence.