Nigerian Senate Proposes ₦50,000 Fine for Preaching in Buses

The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill proposing a ₦50,000 fine for individuals convicted of preaching or hawking inside commercial vehicles. This amendment, passed during a plenary session on Thursday, aims to strengthen road safety enforcement and promote compliance with traffic regulations across Nigeria.

The bill will replace several existing sanctions under the current Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act. Lawmakers believe that limiting these activities inside moving vehicles will improve driver concentration and reduce safety risks, particularly in urban areas where such practices are common.

Additionally, the bill proposes increased penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, raising the fine from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000, with potential imprisonment of up to two years for offenders. Other traffic offenses, such as exceeding speed limits or ignoring traffic signals, will also face higher penalties.

The bill is now awaiting presidential assent, after which the new penalties will be enforced.