The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved a temporary two-month waiver that allows banks to process imports using expired NAFDAC licences, providing relief to traders affected by ongoing system transitions.Under the directive, authorised dealer banks are permitted to accept NAFDAC licences that expired on December 31, 2025, for the processing of Forms M, the compulsory documentation for import registration, until February 28, 2026. The approval was conveyed in a circular issued on Monday and signed by Aliyu Ashiru, director of the CBN’s Trade and Exchange Department.
According to the central bank, the decision was taken in response to disruptions linked to the migration from the NICIS II platform and challenges faced by importers in validating or renewing NAFDAC licences on the B’Odogwu system after December 2025. The CBN explained that the temporary measure became necessary to address the difficulties arising from the system transition and to allow import activities to continue without interruption.
anks were directed to keep processing Forms M with licences that expired at the end of 2025, while strictly observing the conditions attached to the waiver, which expires at the end of February. The apex bank added that the initiative is aimed at minimising trade disruptions as NAFDAC works to fully integrate its operations with Nigeria’s new national single window platform.
Source: https://businessday.ng/
