Nigeria Police to Resume Tinted Glass Enforcement Jan 2026

Police in Nigeria say they will restart the enforcement of regulations on tinted vehicle windows from 2 January 2026, after a temporary pause prompted by legal and public concerns.

The Nigeria Police Force said the move was necessary because of what it described as a growing use of vehicles with illegally tinted glass in serious crimes, including kidnapping and armed robbery.

In a statement, the Force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the decision was taken after a fresh assessment of the country’s security situation. He added that there was no court order stopping the police from enforcing the law, noting that the earlier suspension was a voluntary step to give motorists time to regularise their documentation.

The enforcement was first introduced in April 2025, when the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed vehicle owners to obtain annual permits for tinted glass through an online application process, for a prescribed fee.

However, following complaints from motorists and the Nigerian Bar Association, the police halted enforcement in October. The Bar Association later took legal action against the police leadership, arguing that the policy was unlawful and infringed on citizens’ rights.

At its national executive council meeting in August 2025, the association also questioned the validity of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, the military-era law under which the policy is being enforced.

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Announcing the resumption, Mr Hundeyin quoted Mr Egbetokun as assuring the public that officers would carry out enforcement professionally and with respect for human rights. Motorists who require permits were advised to apply through officially approved channels.

The police said they remain committed to fair and transparent enforcement of the law, while continuing to engage with stakeholders in the justice system.