Senate says amendment does not ban preaching on buses

The Nigerian Senate has clarified that a proposed amendment to road safety laws does not introduce a new ban on preaching or hawking, stating the activities have been prohibited inside commercial vehicles since 2007. The clarification, issued on Monday, July 27, 2026, by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, aims to address widespread public criticism and concerns that the legislation was an attempt to suppress religious expression.

The Senate explained that the controversial provision is part of the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act and prescribes a 50,000 naira fine for anyone convicted of trading, hawking, or preaching inside a commercial vehicle. Officials stressed this is not a new restriction but a restatement of existing law. According to the Senate, Section 104 of the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act, 2007, and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, already classify these activities as road traffic offences.

The provision was previously listed as Item 36 in the Second Schedule to the 2007 Act and has been renumbered as Item 49 in the proposed...