Christian organisations have criticised the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act, warning that provisions seeking to criminalise preaching in commercial vehicles could infringe on Nigerians’ constitutional rights to freedom of religion and expression.

The groups, including the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), also urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold assent to the bill and called for wider stakeholder consultations before it becomes law.

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The Senate recently passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes penalties for individuals convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.

If signed into law, offenders could face a fine of ₦50,000, a six-month prison term or both.

Reacting to the development, the Christian Council of Nigeria expressed concern over the inclusion of preaching among the activities prohibited in commercial buses.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Rev. Evans Onyemara, the council said it supported initiatives aimed at improving road safety but insisted that such measures should not undermine constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

According to the council, commercial vehicles have long served as platforms where Christians share brief messages of hope, repentance, encouragement and prayer with willing passengers.

The CCN argued that any attempt to restrict such activities should be carefully examined to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

The council also criticised the proposed ₦50,000 fine for hawking, describing it as a punitive approach that failed to address the underlying causes of street trading, including poverty, unemployment and worsening economic hardship.

It urged the Federal Government to consider alternative measures such as designated trading areas, reasonable regulations where necessary and sustainable economic empowerment programmes instead of imposing harsh penalties.

The organisation further appealed to President Tinubu, the National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders to subject the proposed legislation to broader public consultation before it receives presidential assent.

Similarly, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches rejected the inclusion of preaching among prohibited activities in commercial vehicles, arguing that it was inappropriate to equate religious evangelism with commercial hawking.

In a statement issued by its President, Israel Akinadewo, the association maintained that preaching remains a constitutionally protected exercise of the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

The OAIC noted that preaching in commercial buses has traditionally served as a peaceful means of spreading messages of faith, hope, repentance, morality and peaceful coexistence.

The association called on the National Assembly to review the contentious provisions of the bill through extensive consultations with religious organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders.

It also urged President Tinubu not to sign the bill in its current form, stressing that public safety could be promoted without undermining the constitutional rights of Nigerians.

While reaffirming its commitment to lawful and responsible religious activities, the OAIC encouraged Christian preachers to conduct evangelism in ways that respect public order and urged the government to continue protecting the constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens.