The Nigerian Senate has provided a formal clarification regarding controversial provisions in the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which impose a N50,000 penalty for street trading, hawking, and preaching inside commercial vehicles. Lawmakers emphasized that the measure is not a newly designed ban intended to stifle religious freedom or curb public evangelism, but rather a long-standing safety requirement originally codified in the 2007 FRSC Establishment Act.
According to legislative leaders, public anxiety over the provision stems from a misinterpretation of the ongoing statutory review process. They reiterated that the bill’s primary objective is to enhance commuter safety by minimizing dangerous operator distractions and reducing vehicular accidents across federal motorways, rather than imposing restrictions on general religious expression in public spaces.
The Senate leadership noted that the amendment originated in the House of Representatives as a concurrence measure designed to modernize traffic enforcement mechanisms. In addition to addressing cabin distractions, the broader legal framework establishes stiffer penalties for motorists who disobey traffic signals or refuse roadside alcohol sobriety checks, reinforcing overall road safety compliance across the country.
Legislative proceedings and public defense statements were concurrently tracked across major news platforms. Reporting by *Daily Post* highlighted the Senate’s stance, citing official remarks: “The Senate has duly noticed public concerns… preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle are not new provisions in our legal system”. Concurrently, updates monitored via *Leadership* included statements from Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele: “It is about the safety of commuters and other road users and not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space”.
Echotitbits take:
This clarification highlights the deep public sensitivity surrounding economic and religious freedom in Nigeria, especially during periods of broader economic reform. Moving forward, observers should watch how traffic law enforcement agencies balance commuter safety enforcement with public interest, as well as whether the National Assembly introduces further refinements to prevent overzealous policing on transit routes.
Source: Punch – https://punchng.com/senate-defends-bus-preaching-bill-amid-public-outcry/, and July 28, 2026
Photo credit: Chola MS Risk Services
