By Odesola JF., PhD
When Road Safety Meets Religious Liberty
Nigeria is a country blessed with many cultures, tribes and religions. Our diversity should be one of our greatest strengths, not a source of division. Whether we are Christians, Muslims or adherents of traditional religions, we all share one Constitution, one flag and one nation. That Constitution promises every Nigerian the freedom to worship God according to the dictates of his or her conscience. It also guarantees freedom of expression and equal treatment before the law.
These are not privileges granted by any government. They are rights that belong to every Nigerian.
It is for this reason that many citizens have expressed concern over reports that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill 2026, reportedly passed by the Senate on 16 July 2026, contains a provision imposing a ₦50,000 fine for “preaching, hawking or trading” inside commercial buses.
Whether this provision eventually becomes law or is amended before receiving Presidential Assent, it has already triggered an important national conversation.
The issue is bigger than preaching inside a bus.
It is about how we balance public safety with the constitutional freedoms that define us as a democratic nation.
No One Is Against Road Safety
Let it be said clearly from the beginning: every responsible Nigerian wants safer roads.
Nobody supports anything that distracts drivers or puts passengers at risk. We all know the dangers of reckless driving and unnecessary distractions inside commercial vehicles. If government introduces genuine measures to reduce accidents and save lives, such efforts deserve our support.
But good intentions alone are not enough.
Every law must also be fair.
Every law must respect the Constitution.
Every law must apply equally to everyone.
That is what democracy demands.
Preaching Is Different from Hawking
One of the major concerns raised by many Nigerians is the reported decision to place preaching, hawking and trading in the same category.
At first glance, this may not appear significant. But when you think about it, they are completely different activities.
A hawker sells goods.
A trader conducts business.
A preacher shares a message of faith.
Whether one agrees with the message or not, preaching is not a commercial activity. It is an exercise of freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
Selling sachet water and sharing a sermon are simply not the same thing.
That distinction matters because the Constitution protects religious expression in a way that it does not necessarily protect commercial activities.
What Does the Constitution Say?
The Nigerian Constitution speaks clearly.
Section 38 guarantees every citizen the freedom to practise, manifest and propagate his or her religion.
Section 39 protects freedom of expression.
Section 42 says no Nigerian should suffer discrimination because of religion.
These constitutional rights are not unlimited. Government can make reasonable laws to protect public safety and public order. However, those restrictions must be necessary, proportionate and, most importantly, applied fairly.
That is where many Nigerians believe this conversation should focus.
The Real Question Is Fairness
For many Christians, this debate is about more than buses.
It is about equal treatment.
Christians across Nigeria have watched situations where:
- Muslim worshippers sometimes occupy major roads during Friday prayers.
- Loudspeakers are used at various hours for calls to prayer, often without consideration for people of other faiths.
- Muslim drivers may stop to observe prayers without seeking permission from anyone.
- Yet, when it comes to Christian preaching, especially in public spaces, restrictions are often discussed first.
The obvious question many people are asking is: Has any bill been passed to stop these other practices? If the answer is no, then why is preaching being considered first?
This is where the feeling of discrimination begins. It is not that Christians are asking for special treatment. Rather, they are asking for equal treatment. If one religious group is allowed to practice its faith openly, then another group should not be unfairly restricted from doing the same.
Nigeria belongs to all of us
The issue is not to accuse one religious group or defend another.
The issue is simple.
If government says road safety is the reason for regulating one activity, then every activity that creates similar public safety concerns should be assessed by the same standard.
Justice is only respected when it is applied equally.
The popular saying remains true:
What is good for the goose should also be good for the gander.
Why Many Christians Feel Uneasy
Many Christians have quietly asked a difficult question:
Is Christianity gradually facing unequal treatment in Nigeria?
Whether everyone agrees with that perception or not, it is important not to dismiss the concerns of millions of citizens.
Some believers point to situations where public expressions of Christianity appear to receive greater scrutiny than similar expressions of other religions. Others argue that government should pay equal attention to every activity—regardless of who is involved—if the objective is truly public safety.
Christians are not asking to be above the law.
Neither should Muslims be.
The Constitution belongs to all Nigerians.
Every religious community deserves the same protection, the same respect and the same freedom.
Freedom of Religion Is a Universal Right
Nigeria is also a member of the international community
The country has signed important human rights treaties that protect freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.
These agreements recognise that governments may introduce reasonable restrictions where necessary for public safety. However, such restrictions must always be lawful, necessary and proportionate.
In simple terms, government should never restrict more freedom than is absolutely necessary to achieve its objective
That principle protects everyone.
Could This Become a Dangerous Precedent?
Many people are worried because today’s decision may influence tomorrow’s laws.
If preaching inside commercial buses can be prohibited today, some fear that future governments could extend similar restrictions to open-air evangelism, campus fellowships, street preaching or other forms of public religious expression.
Others ask whether future governments could use the same reasoning to regulate Islamic Da’wah or other religious outreach.
These concerns may or may not become reality.
But history reminds us that laws often outlive the people who make them.
That is why lawmakers must exercise great caution whenever legislation touches constitutional freedoms.
There Is a Better Way
Thankfully, Nigerians do not have to choose between road safety and religious liberty.
Both can coexist.
Government can regulate behaviour instead of targeting religious expression.
For example, the law can prohibit anyone from blocking vehicle entrances, distracting drivers with loud equipment, harassing passengers, forcing people to give money or engaging in any activity that threatens safety inside a moving vehicle.
Such regulations should apply equally to everyone—hawkers, entertainers, advertisers, political campaigners, fundraisers and religious speakers.
That would promote safety without creating the impression that any religion is being singled out.
What Should Lawmakers Do?
This is an opportunity for the National Assembly to strengthen public confidence.
If there is misunderstanding about the bill, let it be clarified openly.
If certain provisions require amendment, let them be reviewed carefully.
If stakeholders need to be consulted, let that happen before the legislative process is completed.
Christian organisations such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), alongside Muslim organisations, legal experts and civil society groups, should all be given the opportunity to contribute their perspectives.
When people are heard, trust grows.
When people are ignored, suspicion grows.
Our Response Must Reflect Wisdom
As citizens, we must avoid spreading fear or hatred.
Christians should not respond with anger.
Muslims should not see this conversation as an attack on their faith.
This is not a battle between religions.
It is a discussion about justice, fairness and constitutional rights.
Our democracy becomes stronger when difficult issues are discussed respectfully rather than emotionally.
A Nation Built on Justice
Nigeria already faces enormous challenges. Families are struggling with economic hardship. Businesses are battling inflation. Communities continue to confront insecurity.
The last thing our nation needs is unnecessary religious division.
We must protect both public safety and religious freedom.
Neither should be sacrificed.
A mature democracy is not measured only by the laws it passes, but by how fairly those laws are applied.
If the same rules apply equally to Christians, Muslims and every other citizen, then public confidence in government will continue to grow.
If, however, people begin to believe that laws are selective, trust in our institutions will suffer.
Conclusion
At the heart of this debate is a simple question:
Can Nigeria protect road safety without weakening constitutional freedom?
The answer should be yes.
We can have safe roads without silencing peaceful religious expression.
We can promote public order without creating the impression that one faith is receiving different treatment from another.
We can make laws that are firm without being unfair.
Nigeria belongs to all of us.
Our Constitution belongs to all of us.
Our freedoms belong to all of us.
As we continue this important national conversation, let us remember that justice is strongest when it is applied equally, liberty is safest when it is protected for everyone, and democracy flourishes when every citizen—regardless of religion—is treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
That is the Nigeria we should all work and pray for.
