‘God, Thank You!’ – Nollywood’s Olamide Odunlade Escapes Death by Seconds in Fiery Tanker Explosion

In a heart-pounding brush with death that has left fans shaken and grateful in equal measure, popular Nollywood actress Olamide Odunlade narrowly escaped what could have been a fatal tragedy on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday near the Deeper Life Bible Church and just in front of the NASFAT camp, saw a fuel-laden tanker lose control, tip over, and explode into a towering inferno.

Eyewitnesses who spoke to reporters described the explosion as sudden and terrifying. The tanker, reportedly fully loaded with petrol, had been swerving before it lost balance and crashed. Mere seconds later, flames engulfed the vehicle, erupting into a massive fireball that sent thick black smoke spiraling hundreds of feet into the air. The shockwave from the blast reportedly shook nearby vehicles and left passengers in a state of panic.

For Olamide Odunlade, who had been traveling along the route at the time, it was a moment she will not forget in a lifetime. In a raw and emotional video shared to her Instagram shortly after the incident, the visibly distraught actress is seen fleeing the scene, breathless and terrified, capturing the very essence of what survival looks like when death is just seconds away.

“God thank you; what would I have said. Everybody run!” she said with trembling hands and teary eyes, the sound of urgency and disbelief unmistakable in her voice. The video has since gone viral, quickly garnering thousands of comments from fans, colleagues, and well-wishers who were both relieved and horrified at what they saw.

Comments flooded her page within minutes. “Thank God for your life,” one user wrote. “This is the kind of testimony we don’t take for granted.” Another chimed in, “May God continue to protect you, sis. This country needs divine covering.” Among the many who reacted were fellow Nollywood stars who offered their support and praise to God for sparing her life. Some recounted similar near-miss experiences, echoing the sentiment that Nigerian roads have become ticking time bombs.

The explosion brought traffic along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to a grinding halt. Reports from the scene indicated that the resultant gridlock extended all the way back to Berger, with some drivers abandoning their lanes entirely and driving against traffic in a bid to escape the flames and chaos. The result was a chaotic and dangerous pile-up that emergency services struggled to manage.

Despite the chaos, no fatalities were reported at the time of filing this report, though several vehicles were damaged and some motorists sustained injuries from the panic-driven stampede that followed. Rescue and emergency personnel eventually arrived to battle the blaze, but by then, the fire had done considerable damage. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident and assessing the full extent of the destruction.

This incident adds to the growing list of recurring tanker explosions that have plagued Nigerian highways, often with devastating consequences. Road safety experts and civil society advocates have long sounded the alarm on the need for stricter regulation of heavy-duty vehicles transporting flammable materials, especially on major expressways that see heavy civilian traffic. Many are now using Olamide Odunlade’s survival as a fresh rallying cry for reform, citing it as yet another close call that underscores just how urgent the issue has become.

“Do we always have to wait for someone to die before we act?” one online user posted in response to the story. “We need functioning safety protocols, emergency lanes, and trained personnel on standby. Enough is enough.”

For Olamide, the trauma of the event may linger long after the smoke clears. While she has yet to provide a full statement, sources close to her say she is recovering from the emotional shock and deeply grateful to be alive. The actress is known for her energetic performances and positive demeanor, but Wednesday’s scare has no doubt left her—and her millions of fans—sober and reflective.

In a follow-up Instagram story posted later in the day, she wrote simply: “I saw death, and it passed me by. May we all be covered. Thank you, Jesus.”

Her words struck a chord with many who have grown weary of the dangers lurking daily on Nigerian roads. Some users shared their own experiences of narrowly escaping highway accidents, while others turned to prayer and urged the government to take decisive steps to prevent another tragedy.

As the debris is cleared and life slowly returns to normal along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one truth remains undeniable: Olamide Odunlade is alive today by sheer providence. Her close shave with death is not just a celebrity story—it is a sobering reminder of the fragile line between routine and catastrophe in a country where danger can erupt without warning.

For now, fans are simply grateful. Gratitude floods social media as people repost her video, share messages of faith, and urge one another to cherish life’s every moment. Whether in heartfelt prayers or candid comments, the sentiment is the same: this could have been a tragedy. Instead, it became a testimony.

As Nigeria grapples with aging infrastructure, lax enforcement of safety regulations, and an overburdened emergency response system, incidents like these spotlight the pressing need for action. Until then, it is stories like Olamide Odunlade’s that continue to capture the nation’s attention—not just because of who she is, but because her survival speaks to the shared vulnerability of every road user.

She lived to tell the tale. But the question now is: how many more must escape death by inches before real change happens?

Until that day, Nigerians will keep praying. And thanking God.