The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved a temporary two-month window allowing importers to use expired NAFDAC licences for import documentation, providing short-term relief to businesses affected by recent trade system changes. The measure applies to licences that expired on December 31, 2025, and will lapse on February 28, 2026.
The approval, detailed in a circular issued on January 26, 2026, by CBN’s Trade and Exchange Department, allows authorised dealer banks to continue processing Form M applications using the affected licences. The circular emphasizes that the dispensation applies strictly to Form M processing.
CBN explained that the temporary measure was necessitated by operational challenges following Nigeria’s migration from the legacy Integrated Customs Information System II to the new B’Odogwu platform, which has made it difficult for importers to validate or renew NAFDAC licences.
The apex bank stressed that the arrangement is time-bound, urging all banks to comply strictly, while noting that the dispensation ensures continuity in trade transactions as NAFDAC completes integration with the National Single Window.
The move comes amid broader reforms to digitalise and streamline Nigeria’s trade processes, including the National Single Window and Trade Facilitation Portal, which are expected to enhance transparency, reduce bureaucracy, and improve trade competitiveness. The platform is targeted for full operation by March 2026.
