The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced a two-month grace period allowing importers to process Form M applications using NAFDAC licences that expired on December 31, 2025, providing urgent relief to businesses facing delays due to the ongoing migration to the National Single Window platform.
In a circular issued on January 26, 2026, by the CBN’s Trade and Exchange Department and published on the bank’s website, authorised dealer banks have been directed to accept the expired licences for import documentation until February 28, 2026. The measure, signed by Aliyu M. Ashiru on behalf of the Director of Trade and Exchange, takes immediate effect.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria notifies 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 stated. “This two-month window ends on February 28, 2026.”
The CBN explained that the approval follows a short-term concession granted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and applies strictly to Form M processing. The decision was prompted by operational difficulties importers have faced since the transition from the legacy Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II (NICIS II) to the new B’Odogwu platform, which has prevented many from validating or renewing NAFDAC licences since early January.
The temporary waiver is intended to prevent disruptions to legitimate import transactions while NAFDAC finalises integration with the National Single Window — a centralised digital platform launched in October 2025 to streamline trade documentation, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance transparency across customs and regulatory agencies.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, has set March 2026 as the target date for full operationalisation of the National Single Window. Until then, the CBN’s intervention aims to ensure continuity for importers dealing with regulated products such as food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and other items requiring NAFDAC clearance.
Trade stakeholders have welcomed the grace period, noting that prolonged delays in licence renewal could have led to supply chain bottlenecks, higher costs, and potential shortages of essential goods. However, the CBN emphasised that the arrangement is strictly time-bound and will lapse automatically at the end of February. Authorised dealer banks have been instructed to comply fully and avoid processing Forms M with expired licences beyond the approved window.
The move underscores the ongoing challenges of Nigeria’s trade digitalisation journey. While the National Single Window promises to transform import and export processes, the transition period has exposed teething problems that require coordinated fixes among regulators, banks, and port operators.
Importers are advised to expedite any pending NAFDAC licence renewals or validations to avoid being caught out when the temporary dispensation expires. The CBN and NAFDAC are expected to provide further guidance as the March 2026 full rollout date approaches.
