Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) don approve temporary window wey go allow importers use expired National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) licences for import documentation.
This move give short-term relief to businesses wey don dey face challenges because of changes for Nigeria trade processing system.
According to circular wey CBN Trade and Exchange Department issue on January 26, 2026, and publish on the bank website on Tuesday, authorised dealer banks fit continue to process Form M applications with NAFDAC licences wey expire on December 31, 2025.
The approval wey start immediately go last for two months and automatically expire on February 28, 2026.
The circular, wey Aliyu M. Ashiru sign on behalf of the Director of Trade and Exchange Department, say the approval follow temporary dispensation wey NAFDAC grant.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria wish inform all authorised dealer banks and the general public say NAFDAC don allow temporary use of licences wey expire on December 31, 2025, for Form M processing for two months, ending February 28, 2026,” the circular read.
CBN explain say the decision na because of operational challenges wey come with migration from the old Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II to new platforms.
According to the apex bank, many importers no fit validate or renew their NAFDAC licences since the transition, especially due to difficulties on the B’Odogwu platform after December 2025.
To reduce bottlenecks and prevent delays for import documentation, CBN direct all authorised dealer banks to continue accepting the affected licences within the approved period.
The bank stress say the arrangement na temporary and time-bound, urging banks to follow the directive strictly, as the approval go lapse automatically on February 28, 2026.
CBN add say the move na to ensure smooth trade transactions while NAFDAC dey complete integration of im systems with the National Single Window.
Recall say for October 2025, Federal Government formally unveil the National Single Window and new Trade Facilitation Portal as part of effort to digitalise and streamline Nigeria import and export processes.
The initiative, wey Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole champion, aim to cut bureaucracy, improve transparency and boost Nigeria competitiveness for global trade.
The National Single Window na central digital platform where customs, regulatory agencies, importers and exporters go submit all trade and regulatory documents. Government don set target make the platform fully operational by first quarter of 2026, specifically March 2026.
