According to The Punch, the Nigerian Senate has successfully passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing a ₦50,000 fine for individuals convicted of preaching, hawking, or trading inside commercial vehicles. The newly passed legislative amendment is primarily designed to minimize driver distractions, tighten road traffic regulations, and curb the incidence of avoidable vehicular crashes across the country’s interstate routes.
The bill, which currently awaits presidential assent, further details severe consequences for motorists who refuse to cooperate with security agents during preliminary roadside breathalyzer tests. Such offenders will now risk a ₦50,000 penalty, a six-month jail term, or both. Additionally, the legislation significantly escalates the financial penalty for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol from a meager ₦5,000 to a substantial ₦100,000, which can also be accompanied by a prison sentence of up to two years.
To substantiate this report, Daily Post noted that the Upper Chamber’s decision forms “part of a broader review of the FRSC Act aimed at increasing compliance with traffic regulations and reducing road crashes.” Additionally, Vanguard reported on the stringent measures, quoting lawmakers who stated that “the provision was introduced to discourage distractions in commercial vehicles and improve the safety of commuters.”
Echotitbits take:
This legislative move addresses the long-standing chaotic environment within Nigerian public transport. While commuter safety is paramount, enforcement will be the ultimate litmus test, especially given the deep-rooted cultural presence of bus preachers and mobile traders in metropolitan hubs like Lagos.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/senate-proposes-n50000-fine-for-preaching-hawking-in-buses/, July 17, 2026
Photo credit: NALTF
