The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved a temporary window allowing importers to use expired National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) licences for import documentation, providing short-term relief to businesses affected by recent system changes in Nigeria’s trade processing framework.
The approval was contained in a circular issued on January 26, 2026, by the CBN’s Trade and Exchange Department and published on the bank’s website on Tuesday. According to the circular, authorised dealer banks may continue to process Form M applications with NAFDAC licences that expired on December 31, 2025.
The dispensation takes immediate effect and will run for two months, expiring on February 28, 2026. The circular, signed by Aliyu M. Ashiru on behalf of the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, stated that the measure followed a temporary approval granted by NAFDAC.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to notify all Authorised Dealer Banks and the general public of a temporary dispensation offered by NAFDAC permitting the continued use of NAFDAC licences that expired on 31st December, 2025, for the processing of Forms M,” the statement read.
The CBN explained that the measure became necessary due to operational challenges arising from the migration from the legacy Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II to the new B’Odogwu platform. The transition reportedly affected the ability of importers to validate or renew NAFDAC licences after December 2025.
To prevent disruptions and delays in trade documentation, the apex bank directed authorised dealer banks to continue accepting the affected licences strictly within the approved timeframe. It stressed that the arrangement is time-bound and would lapse automatically on February 28, 2026.
The move is aimed at ensuring continuity in import transactions while NAFDAC completes the integration of its systems with the National Single Window, which the Federal Government plans to make fully operational by March 2026.
Leave a comment