The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to review the controversial provisions of the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which would impose a ₦50,000 fine on individuals convicted of preaching in commercial buses if it becomes law.
The council expressed concern that the proposed legislation could infringe on Nigerians’ constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of religion and expression, urging lawmakers to reconsider the provision before the bill receives presidential assent.
The appeal follows the Senate’s passage of the FRSC Amendment Bill, which introduces stiffer penalties for a wide range of traffic offences. Among its most debated provisions is one that makes it an offence to preach, hawk or trade inside commercial vehicles, prescribing a ₦50,000 fine upon conviction. The bill is yet to become law, as it still requires President Tinubu’s assent.
According to the Christian Council, while efforts to improve road safety are commendable, legislation should not unnecessarily restrict citizens’ fundamental rights. The organisation urged the President and lawmakers to strike a balance between ensuring commuter safety and protecting freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
The council also called for wider consultations with religious bodies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders before the bill is signed into law, arguing that such engagement would help address public concerns and prevent unintended consequences.
Supporters of the amendment, however, maintain that the provision is intended to reduce distractions inside commercial vehicles and improve the safety of drivers and passengers. Lawmakers said preaching, hawking and trading in moving buses could divert drivers’ attention and increase the risk of road accidents.
The proposed legislation also significantly increases penalties for several traffic offences. It raises the fine for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to ₦100,000, with offenders facing up to two years’ imprisonment or both. Speeding, reckless driving and disobeying traffic signs would also attract higher penalties, while motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests could face a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both.
The debate over the bill has generated widespread public reactions, with several religious organisations and civil society groups urging the Federal Government to review the provision on preaching in commercial buses before the legislation is enacted. Similar concerns have also been raised by the Northern States Christian Elders Forum, which described the measure as inconsistent with constitutional protections for religious freedom.
