The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted a two-month temporary dispensation allowing banks to continue accepting expired National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) licences for import transactions.

The apex bank announced that authorised dealer banks (ADBs) can accept NAFDAC licences that expired on December 31, 2025, for the purpose of processing Forms M — the mandatory import documentation required for goods entering Nigeria — until February 28, 2026.

The notice, signed by Aliyu Ashiru, Director of Trade and Exchange at the CBN, explained that the temporary measure was necessary due to the ongoing transition from the legacy NICIS II system and challenges faced by importers in validating or renewing NAFDAC licences on the new B’Odogwu platform.

“The temporary dispensation is to ensure uninterrupted trade processes while NAFDAC finalises the integration of its systems with the national single window,” the CBN stated.

The apex bank urged all ADBs to strictly comply with the terms of the dispensation, which expires on February 28, 2026, warning that failure to adhere could lead to operational disruptions.

The move is expected to prevent delays in importation and ensure seamless business operations during the system upgrade.