The Nigerian Senate has passed a sweeping amendment bill aimed at reforming the country’s road traffic laws, which includes a strict ban on preaching, hawking, and trading inside commercial buses and other public transport vehicles.
Under the newly approved legislation, anyone convicted of these activities will face a ₦50,000 fine (approximately $33 USD). The legislative breakthrough occurred during a plenary session at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
The provision is part of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to modernize the nation’s traffic enforcement rules and significantly reduce road accidents.
According to lawmakers, the restriction on onboard religious sermons and sales pitches is specifically designed to eliminate dangerous distractions for drivers and passengers within moving vehicles.
Beyond the curbs on bus preaching, the lawmakers presided over by the Senate leadership approved stiffer penalties across a total of 52 traffic offences.
Notable changes include Drunk and Reckless Driving. Fines have jumped from the previous ₦5,000 to ₦100,000, with offenders facing up to two years of imprisonment.
Traffic Light Violations; Disobeying traffic signals, signs, or road markings will now attract a ₦100,000 penalty and motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials conducting roadside sobriety tests will be liable to a ₦50,000 fine, six months in prison, or both.
The bill has now been officially transmitted from the red chamber to President Bola Tinubu for his executive review. The new penalties, including the ₦50,000 fine for public transit preaching, will officially take effect nationwide once the bill receives presidential assent.
