Senate Clarifies Preaching Ban in Commercial Buses

The Nigerian Senate has clarified that the prohibition of preaching and hawking in commercial buses is not a new law but has been part of the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act since its inception in 2007. This clarification was issued following public reactions to a recent amendment of the Act, which some interpreted as a new ban on religious preaching in public spaces.

Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the amendment only renumbered the provision from Item 36 to Item 49 in the Second Schedule of the Act without changing its substance. He emphasized that the law prohibits preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles for public safety reasons and does not outlaw street preaching.

The amendment, passed by the Senate on July 14, also proposes increased penalties for traffic violations, including fines of up to ₦100,000 for serious offences. Bamidele noted that the amendment was not his personal initiative but a concurrence bill already passed by the House of Representatives.