Nigeria’s Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing a controversial provision that proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of preaching, hawking, or trading inside commercial vehicles. The bill is awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s assent before it can become law.
According to lawmakers, the measure is aimed at reducing distractions inside commercial buses and improving the safety of passengers and drivers. If signed into law, anyone found preaching, selling goods, or trading inside a commercial vehicle could face a ₦50,000 fine upon conviction.
The proposed amendment is part of a broader review of the FRSC Act, which significantly increases penalties for several traffic offences. It also raises the fine for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000, with offenders facing up to two years’ imprisonment, or both. Speeding, reckless driving, and disobeying traffic signs would also attract stiffer penalties of up to ₦100,000.
In addition, motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion could face a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both. The revised legislation lists 52 traffic offences with updated penalties designed to strengthen road safety enforcement across Nigeria.
The proposal has already sparked conversations among Christians, legal experts, and the general public, particularly over its potential implications for street and public transport evangelism. While some believe the measure is necessary to reduce distractions that could endanger commuters, others have raised concerns about how the law could affect religious expression and evangelistic outreach in public spaces.
It is important to note that the proposal has not yet become law. The bill will only take effect if it receives presidential assent.
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