The Senate has defended the controversial provision in the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill, 2026, clarifying that the proposed penalty for preaching, hawking and trading inside commercial vehicles is not a new law but a long-standing provision contained in the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007.
The clarification follows widespread criticism after reports emerged that the amendment bill proposes a ₦50,000 fine for anyone convicted of preaching, hawking or trading inside commercial vehicles.
In a statement on Monday, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the provision had been misunderstood, stressing that the amendment neither criminalises street evangelism nor introduces a fresh offence.
According to him, Section 10(4) of the FRSC Act, 2007, and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, already prohibit preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles.
He explained that the provision has existed since 2007 and was merely renumbered in the current amendment.
Bamidele also dismissed claims that he sponsored the bill, noting that it originated from the House of Representatives before being transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.
He said the legislation is intended solely to improve road safety and protect commuters from distractions capable of causing accidents.
Apart from the disputed provision, the bill proposes stiffer penalties for several traffic offences, including refusing roadside breath tests, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, disobeying traffic signs and reckless driving.
Lawmakers say the revised schedule contains 52 traffic offences aimed at strengthening FRSC enforcement and improving compliance with road safety regulations.
The clarification comes amid sustained criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, who argue that some of the proposed penalties are insensitive given Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
