The Central Bank of Nigeria has temporarily allowed the use of expired National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) licences to ease disruptions in import documentation.
In a circular issued on January 26 by its Trade and Exchange Department, the CBN said authorised dealer banks may process Form M applications using NAFDAC licences that expired on December 31, 2025.
The apex bank explained that the approval, effective immediately, stems from a temporary NAFDAC dispensation and applies solely to Form M processing due to challenges arising from the migration to the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II.
According to the CBN, importers have been unable to validate or renew NAFDAC licences due to post-transition challenges on the B’Odogwu platform, leading it to instruct authorised dealer banks to accept the affected licences temporarily to prevent delays in import documentation.
In October 2025, the Nigerian Government launched the National Single Window and Trade Facilitation Portal to digitise and streamline import and export processes.
The platform is designed to simplify trade processes by allowing all stakeholders to submit required documentation through one digital interface, with full implementation targeted for the first quarter of 2026.
The CBN noted that the temporary relief will expire on February 28, 2026.
Safiya Muhammed Bello
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