CBN Allows Banks to Accept Expired NAFDAC Licences for Imports Until February 2026

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a temporary two-month allowance enabling authorised dealer banks (ADBs) to accept expired National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) licences for import processing. This move comes as a relief to Nigerian importers struggling with system upgrades and licence renewals.

Under this dispensation, ADBs can continue to process Forms M—documents required for registering goods for import—even if the associated NAFDAC licences expired on December 31, 2025. The extension will last until February 28, 2026, giving businesses a clear window to complete their transactions.

Aliyu Ashiru, director of the trade and exchange department at the CBN, signed the notice. He explained that the temporary measure is necessary due to the transition from the legacy NICIS II system and challenges importers face in validating or renewing licences on the new B’Odogwu platform.

“The move ensures that importers are not penalised for delays caused by system upgrades,” the CBN stated. It emphasised that all authorised dealer banks must comply with the terms of the dispensation and that the measure will automatically expire at the end of February 2026.

This intervention highlights the CBN’s commitment to maintaining smooth trade operations while NAFDAC finalises the integration of its systems with the national single window. For importers and banks, this reprieve provides stability and predictability in an otherwise transitional period.

source: The Cable