The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) is requesting a revision of specific clauses within the 2026 Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill recently approved by the Senate. The organization warns that the proposed rules could infringe upon constitutional rights and place heavy financial burdens on citizens.
Under the new bill, individuals caught trading, hawking, or preaching inside commercial vehicles would face a 50,000 Naira penalty, while traffic light infractions could lead to a 100,000 Naira fine. Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, the General Secretary of the CCN, stated that while the group values road safety initiatives, the ban on religious activities in transit is problematic.
The Council argues that grouping religious expression with hawking and commercial trade contradicts the constitutional right to freedom of religion and expression. For many, public buses have served as a common space for sharing messages of faith and hope. The CCN believes that restricting this practice unfairly targets religious expression without effectively addressing the root causes of street commerce, such as economic instability and joblessness.
Instead of focusing on punitive fines, the CCN suggests that the government should implement compassionate strategies like creating designated trading zones and launching economic support programs. The group has called upon the President and the National Assembly to engage in more inclusive consultations with civil society and faith-based organizations before finalizing the legislation. They maintain that effective laws must balance the necessity of public safety with the protection of human rights and dignity.
