Senate passes Bill proposing N50,000 fine for preaching, hawking in commercial buses

Senate passes Bill proposing N50,000 fine for preaching, hawking in commercial buses

The Nigerian Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing significantly tougher penalties for traffic offences, including a N50,000 fine for individuals who preach, hawk or engage in trading inside commercial buses.

The landmark legislation, approved during plenary on Thursday, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen road safety in Nigeria, improve compliance with traffic regulations and reduce the rising number of road crashes across the country.

However, the bill has not yet become law. It will only take legal effect after receiving presidential assent from President Bola Tinubu.

One of the most notable provisions of the proposed amendment is the introduction of a N50,000 fine for anyone found preaching, hawking or carrying out commercial activities inside commercial vehicles.

Lawmakers explained that such activities often distract drivers, obstruct passengers and increase the likelihood of road accidents, particularly in densely populated urban areas where commercial buses serve thousands of commuters daily.

The bill also introduces stricter sanctions for motorists who refuse to cooperate with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials during roadside enforcement exercises.

Under the proposed law, any driver who declines to undergo a breathalyser test when reasonably suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs would face a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction.

READ ALSO:

• Shettima’s final test, by Azu Ishiekwene
• Four kidnapped during NECO exams regain freedom in Kogi
• Petrol importers set to raise depot price to N1,350 per litre as fresh fuel price hike looms
• Police foil N22m kidnap plot in Kwara, arrest two Togolese suspects

The Senate further approved a substantial increase in penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances. If the bill receives presidential assent, offenders would be liable to a N100,000 fine, replacing the current N5,000 penalty, in addition to a possible two-year prison sentence or both.

The amendment also raises the punishment for violating traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings and other traffic control devices to N100,000, reflecting the government’s determination to improve discipline on Nigerian roads.

Motorists caught exceeding speed limits would equally face a N100,000 fine, replacing the existing N5,000 sanction.

Similarly, reckless driving would attract a N100,000 fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, depending on the severity of the offence.

According to the revised schedule attached to the legislation, the Senate reviewed 52 traffic offences, increasing penalties across most categories to reflect present-day economic realities and strengthen deterrence against dangerous road behaviour.

The amendment seeks to modernise the FRSC Act by expanding the enforcement powers of the corps, strengthening compliance with traffic regulations and improving public safety through stricter enforcement measures.

Road safety experts have repeatedly argued that many penalties under the existing law had become obsolete due to inflation and no longer served as effective deterrents against traffic violations.

Data from the Federal Road Safety Corps consistently identifies speeding, dangerous driving, drunk driving, driver distraction, overloading and disregard for traffic signs among the leading causes of road crashes in Nigeria, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries every year.

Supporters of the amendment believe the proposed stiffer penalties will encourage greater compliance with traffic laws and ultimately reduce road accidents. However, some stakeholders have called for sustained public awareness campaigns, improved road infrastructure and fair enforcement to ensure the new penalties achieve their intended objectives without imposing undue hardship on road users.

The bill will now be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent. If signed into law, it will introduce one of the most comprehensive overhauls of Nigeria’s traffic regulations in recent years, significantly increasing penalties for dozens of traffic-related offences while reinforcing the FRSC’s mandate to promote safer roads nationwide.

Senate passes Bill proposing N50,000 fine for preaching, hawking in commercial buses