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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved a two month temporary relief allowing importers to process Form M using National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) licences that expired on December 31, 2025.
The approval was communicated in a circular dated January 26, 2026, and signed by Aliyu M. Ashiru on behalf of the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department. The circular was addressed to all Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs) and relevant stakeholders in the import trade ecosystem.
Under the directive, importers may continue to rely on expired NAFDAC licences until February 28, 2026, solely for the purpose of processing statutory import documentation. Authorised Dealer Banks have also been instructed to accept the affected licences within the approved timeframe.
The CBN explained that the temporary dispensation became necessary following the transition from the legacy Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS I) to the newly deployed B’Odogwu platform, which has posed technical challenges for importers seeking to validate or renew NAFDAC licences since the end of 2025.
According to the apex bank, the measure is designed to minimise disruptions to legitimate trade, protect supply chains, and maintain business continuity while outstanding technical issues associated with the new platform are resolved.
The bank further noted that the relief will support a smoother transition as NAFDAC works to complete the integration of its systems with the National Single Window (NSW), a key reform aimed at improving trade efficiency, transparency, and regulatory coordination.
The CBN stressed that the approval is strictly temporary and will lapse on February 28, 2026, urging all Authorised Dealer Banks to ensure full compliance with the terms of the dispensation.
The apex bank stressed that the approval is strictly temporary and will lapse on February 28, 2026, urging all Authorised Dealer Banks to ensure full compliance with the terms of the dispensation.
Beyond easing immediate operational bottlenecks, the CBN said the intervention aligns with broader efforts to promote sustainable trade facilitation by preventing avoidable delays, demurrage costs, and supply shortages that could arise from system-related disruptions. By allowing importers to continue processing documentation within a clearly defined window, the bank aims to safeguard the stability of supply chains, particularly for regulated food, pharmaceutical, and consumer products.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the decision, noting that the temporary relief provides much-needed breathing space for importers affected by the transition to the B’Odogwu platform.
They observed that the move will help businesses maintain compliance, preserve jobs, and reduce the risk of informal trade practices that often emerge during prolonged regulatory gaps.
The CBN reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with NAFDAC, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other relevant agencies to ensure a seamless migration to the National Single Window framework. The apex bank noted that the NSW initiative is central to Nigeria’s long term trade reform agenda, aimed at improving efficiency, enhancing transparency, and supporting economic sustainability.
Importers have been advised to use the dispensation period to regularise their documentation and complete licence renewals once the technical challenges are fully resolved. The CBN cautioned that no further extensions would be guaranteed and emphasised that full regulatory compliance will be strictly enforced after the expiration date.
The bank added that timely collaboration among regulators, financial institutions, and the private sector remains critical to ensuring that ongoing digital reforms translate into tangible gains for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and overall economic resilience.
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