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 system changes in the country’s trade framework.
In a circular issued on Jan. 26, 2026, and published on its website on Tuesday, the CBN said authorised dealer banks may continue to process Form M applications using NAFDAC licences that expired on Dec. 31, 2025. The temporary dispensation will run for two months and lapse on Feb. 28, 2026.
“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 licences that expired on 31st December 2025 for the processing of Forms M,” the circular, signed by Aliyu M. Ashiru for the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, said.
The measure follows a temporary dispensation granted by NAFDAC and is strictly limited to Form M processing during the specified period. Authorities said the move was necessitated by operational challenges linked to the migration from the legacy Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II (NICIS II) platform.
Importers have faced difficulties validating or renewing licences since the transition, particularly due to issues encountered on the B’Odogwu platform after December 2025. The CBN said the dispensation is aimed at preventing delays in import documentation and ensuring continuity in trade transactions while NAFDAC completes its system integration with the National Single Window (NSW).
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The apex bank stressed that the arrangement is time-bound and urged banks to comply strictly with its terms, noting that it will lapse automatically on Feb. 28, 2026.
Trade digitisation in Nigeria
The temporary approval comes amid broader efforts to digitalise and streamline Nigeria’s trade processes. In October 2025, the Federal Government formally launched the National Single Window and Trade Facilitation Portal, designed to reduce bureaucracy, enhance transparency, and improve the country’s global trade competitiveness.
The NSW is a centralised digital platform where stakeholders—including customs, regulatory agencies, importers, and exporters—submit standardised trade and regulatory documentation.
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The government aims for full operationalisation of the system by the first quarter of 2026, specifically March, which it says will simplify trade procedures and reduce delays caused by manual processing.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, has championed the initiative, emphasising that the NSW will facilitate smoother cross-border transactions and strengthen regulatory compliance.
The CBN’s temporary measure is expected to provide importers with breathing room to complete transactions and adjust to the new digital trade environment without disruption.
