A proposed law seeking to prohibit preaching, hawking and trading inside commercial buses in Nigeria has received the backing of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which argues that the practices pose safety risks and can cause public disturbances.
The provision forms part of the Federal Road Safety Corps Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, which has been passed by the Nigerian Senate and is awaiting presidential assent. Anyone convicted of preaching, hawking or trading inside a commercial vehicle could face a ₦50,000 fine (R600/$36).
MURIC welcomed the proposal, describing preaching inside commercial vehicles as inappropriate, distracting and potentially dangerous.
“Nobody can preach inside commercial vehicles in London, Paris or Frankfurt. So how are we keeping faith with global best practices? It all boils down to how we value life in our country. Many road accidents have been attributed to loss of focus, and this is what bus preaching causes,” the organisation said.
Preaching inside commercial buses is common in parts of Nigeria, particularly among Christian evangelists travelling on intra-city, inter-city and interstate routes.
Passengers on routes including Lagos to Ibadan, Ondo to Akure and Enugu to Ughelli regularly encounter preachers delivering sermons during journeys.
Supporters of the proposed law argue that preaching inside moving vehicles can distract drivers and disturb passengers in confined public spaces. They say unsolicited sermons can also cause tension and, in some cases, confrontations between passengers of different faiths.
MURIC has called on lawmakers and religious leaders, particularly church leaders in Nigeria’s South West, to support efforts to end the practice.
However, several Christian organisations have opposed the provision, arguing that it infringes upon constitutionally protected religious freedoms.
The debate comes amid continuing concern over Nigeria’s high number of road crashes.
According to the FRSC, Nigeria recorded 10,446 road crashes and 5,289 deaths in 2025, compared with 9,570 crashes and 5,421 deaths in 2024.
Supporters of the legislation say reducing avoidable distractions inside commercial vehicles should form part of wider efforts to prevent crashes and protect passengers.
