The Senate has dismissed claims that it recently introduced a ban on preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles, clarifying that the offences have been part of Nigeria’s road traffic laws for nearly two decades.
The clarification comes after public reactions followed reports that the Senate passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial buses.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, the upper chamber explained that the provision did not originate from the current amendment but has existed under the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007.
According to the Senate, Section 10(4) of the FRSC Act and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, already classify preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles as offences.
It noted that the only change in the ongoing amendment is the renumbering of the provision from Item 36 to Item 49 in the Second Schedule of the Act.
The Senate stressed that the amendment should not be interpreted as a prohibition of public or street preaching, insisting that the law is aimed solely at protecting commuters and improving road safety.
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“It is about the safety of commuters and other road users and not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space,” the statement said.
The Senate also refuted claims linking the bill to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, stating that he neither initiated nor sponsored the legislation.
It explained that the bill originated in the House of Representatives and is before the Senate for concurrence, as required under the 1999 Constitution before it can become law.
The lawmakers further noted that the amendment process remains ongoing and urged members of the public and other stakeholders to submit their observations through the appropriate legislative channels before the process is concluded.
Beyond the provision on preaching and hawking, the proposed amendment seeks tougher sanctions for several traffic violations. These include raising the penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000, while reckless driving, speed limit violations and certain other offences could attract fines of up to ₦100,000, with some offences also carrying prison terms.