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Nigeria preaching ban controversy

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-26 19:03 UTC → 2026-07-27 00:07 UTC · added removed

The Senate’s amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act, introduced in July 2026, seeks to criminalise preaching preaching, hawking or trading inside commercial buses, imposing a ₦50,000 fine and up to six months’ imprisonment for preaching, hawking or trading on buses. imprisonment. Christian bodies—including the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Christian Council of Nigeria—continue to urge Nigeria—have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent, arguing that the measure discriminates against Christians, breaches constitutional freedoms of religion and expression, and lacks demonstrable road‑safety benefits. They call for broader consultation with religious organisations, civil society, legal experts and transport unions. On 26 July 2026 the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) drafted legislation to prohibit preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles, reiterating that such activities distract drivers and threaten public peace. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) welcomed the proposal, with its executive director stating it would improve road citing safety and curb uncivilised behaviour on buses. CAN’s lawyer Goodnews C. Nnadozie warned that public‑order improvements. On 26 July 2026 Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder of Salvation Ministries, condemned the amendment, calling it a blanket ban could breach “stupid law” that violates Nigerians’ constitutional guarantees and right to practice religion. He noted that Muslims are already permitted to use loudspeakers in public, urged regulators the government to consider targeted measures prioritise insecurity, terrorism and poverty over restrictions on noise gospel preaching, and obstruction instead accused some Christian leaders of an outright prohibition, citing potential discrimination against evangelical practices. silence for political or financial reasons. The Senate has passed the amendment, and it now awaits presidential assent. The bill remains under debate in the National Assembly and has not yet been signed into law.

Versions

  1. 2026-07-27 00:07 UTC Nigeria preaching ban controversy
  2. 2026-07-26 19:03 UTC Nigeria preaching ban controversy
  3. 2026-07-26 05:15 UTC Nigeria preaching ban controversy
  4. 2026-07-26 02:46 UTC Nigeria preaching ban controversy

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