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How the Ban on Tinted Car Glass Began in Nigeria

Published by admin on December 16th, 2025.

How the Ban on Tinted Car Glass Began in Nigeria

Tinted car windows became very common in Nigeria in the mid-1980s. At the time, many vehicles had glasses so dark that it was almost impossible to see who was inside. This was not limited to private individuals alone; government officials, security personnel, and wealthy citizens all used heavily tinted cars. Back then, such vehicles were seen as a symbol of status and security.

Around 1989 or 1990, the situation changed after a special report aired on NTA’s 9 p.m. news. The report raised concerns about the dangers of heavily tinted windows, noting that they reduced drivers’ visibility and could easily be used by criminals to hide their identities. Footage of tinted vehicles moving around Lagos was shown to support the claims.

Shortly after the broadcast, the government announced a nationwide ban on tinted car glass. Only the President at the time, General Ibrahim Babangida, and the Chief of General Staff, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, were exempted. Interestingly, both leaders had earlier used tinted vehicles in the late 1980s but later switched to cars without tinted glass.

The ban was eventually backed by law in 1991 through a military decree. That decree remains the legal basis for the enforcement of tinted glass regulations by the police today.

Around the same period, NTA also reported on the danger posed by extremely bright security lights used at the homes of senior officials, especially in areas like Ikoyi. These lights were said to blind motorists and increase the risk of accidents. Despite the report and the fact that even government buildings used such lights, no concrete action was taken to address the issue.