The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has strongly opposed a controversial provision in the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that the planned ban on preaching and prayers in commercial buses violates Nigerians’ constitutional rights.
The bill, recently passed by the Senate, proposes a N100,000 fine for traffic light violations and a N50,000 fine for anyone caught hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial buses.
Reacting to the development, the CCN said while it fully supports efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents, it believes the provision targeting religious preaching raises serious concerns about freedom of religion and expression as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, the Council argued that placing peaceful religious preaching in the same category as hawking and trading sends the wrong message and could create the impression that Christian evangelism is being unfairly targeted.
“The Council is deeply concerned about the provision prohibiting preaching in commercial buses. While the objective may be to reduce distractions, the inclusion of preaching alongside hawking and trading raises legitimate concerns about freedom of religion and expression as guaranteed by the Constitution,” the statement read.
The CCN noted that commercial buses have, for decades, served as places where Christians voluntarily share short messages of hope, repentance, encouragement and prayers with willing passengers.
Beyond the issue of preaching, the Council also questioned the proposed N50,000 fine for hawking, arguing that punitive measures alone cannot solve the deeper problems of poverty, unemployment and economic hardship driving many Nigerians into street trading.
Instead, it urged the Federal Government to create designated trading areas, expand economic empowerment programmes and adopt more compassionate policies that address the root causes of the problem.
The Council called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders to undertake wider consultations before the bill becomes law, involving faith-based organisations, civil society groups, transport unions and road safety experts.
According to the CCN, Nigeria needs legislation that promotes public safety without undermining constitutional freedoms or placing excessive burdens on struggling citizens.
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