N’Assembly’s Insensitive Anti-Religious FRSC Bill

Members of Nigeria's National Assembly are facing criticism for what some perceive as insensitivity, particularly regarding a proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Bill, 2026. The bill includes a N50,000 fine for individuals convicted of preaching inside commercial vehicles, a provision that has angered some Christian leaders.

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shows the level of insensitivity of the federal lawmakers to issues affecting the masses

This proposed legislation comes at a time when the U.S. administration and various Christian organizations have raised concerns about the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. These groups accuse the Nigerian government of not doing enough to curb religious violence and claim that security forces are complicit in the killing of Christians in certain regions.

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At a time that the administration of United States President Donald Trump and some sections of Christians are alleging that Christians in Nigeria are being persecuted, targeted and killed by “Islamic terrorists” without the government doing enough to curb religious violence, the National Assembly recently passed the FRSC (Amendment) Bill, 2026, imposing N50,000 on poor preachers in commercial buses.

However, the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has consistently refuted these allegations. Officials maintain that Nigeria practices religious tolerance, with Christians and Muslims coexisting peacefully. They assert that the country does not face Christian or Muslim genocide and that its security issues stem from terrorism, criminality, and extremism, not faith-based persecution. The government also emphasizes its commitment to not tolerating policies that persecute any religious group.

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insisting that there is religious tolerance in Nigeria and that Christians and Muslims are coexisting well.

Despite these denials, the FRSC (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting presidential assent, has provoked strong reactions. While lawmakers argue the provision aims to discourage distractions and improve commuter safety, many Christians view it as a deliberate attempt to restrict their religious expression. The bill significantly increases penalties for various traffic offenses, but the specific fine for preachers has become a focal point of contention.

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there is neither a Christian nor a Muslim genocide in Nigeria, while maintaining that the country’s security challenges are driven by terrorism, criminality and extremism rather than faith-based persecution.