Leading Christian organisations in Nigeria have rejected a proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act that seeks to penalise individuals for preaching in commercial vehicles, arguing that the provision could infringe on the constitutional rights to freedom of religion and expression.
The groups, including the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), urged President Bola Tinubu not to sign the bill into law in its current form. They also called for wider consultations before the legislation receives presidential assent.
The Senate recently passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone found guilty of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles. If enacted, offenders could face a ₦50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both.
Reacting to the development, the Christian Council of Nigeria expressed concern over the inclusion of preaching among activities prohibited in commercial buses.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Rev. Evans Onyemara, the council said it supports initiatives aimed at improving road safety but insisted that such measures should not come at the expense of constitutional freedoms.
According to the council, while reducing distractions on the roads is a legitimate objective, placing preaching in the same category as hawking and trading raises serious concerns over citizens’ rights to freely practise and express their faith.
The CCN noted that commercial buses have long served as places where Christians briefly share messages of hope, repentance, encouragement and prayers with willing passengers. It argued that any restriction on such religious activities should undergo careful constitutional review.
The council also criticised the proposed ₦50,000 fine for hawkers, describing it as a harsh measure that fails to address the underlying causes of street trading, including widespread poverty, unemployment and economic hardship.
According to the organisation, many Nigerians engage in hawking as a means of survival, and punitive sanctions would only worsen their situation rather than solve the country’s economic challenges.
The CCN urged the Federal Government to consider alternative solutions such as creating designated trading areas, introducing reasonable restrictions where necessary and implementing sustainable economic empowerment programmes instead of criminalising struggling citizens.
It further appealed to the President, the National Assembly and other stakeholders to subject the proposed legislation to broader public consultation before it becomes law.
Similarly, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches called on President Tinubu to withhold assent to the bill in its present form.
In a statement signed by its President, Israel Akinadewo, the association described it as inappropriate to equate peaceful religious preaching with commercial hawking.
The OAIC maintained that preaching remains a constitutionally protected exercise of the rights to freedom of religion and expression and should not be treated as a criminal or commercial activity.
The association added that preaching in commercial buses has for many years served as a legitimate platform for spreading messages of faith, hope, repentance, morality and peaceful coexistence.
It therefore urged the National Assembly to review the controversial provisions through extensive consultations involving religious organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders.
While reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and responsible religious practices, the OAIC encouraged Christian preachers to conduct evangelism in a manner that respects public order. It also called on the government to ensure that efforts to promote road safety do not undermine the constitutional rights and freedoms guaranteed to Nigerians.
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