The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved a two-month temporary dispensation allowing authorised dealer banks to continue accepting expired National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control licences for the processing of Forms M.
The approval was disclosed in a notice issued by the apex bank on Monday and signed by Aliyu Ashiru, director of the Trade and Exchange Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
According to the notice, authorised dealer banks may accept NAFDAC licences that expired on December 31, 2025, for the purpose of processing Forms M until February 28, 2026.
Form M is a mandatory import processing document used by Nigerian importers to register goods they intend to bring into the country and to facilitate foreign exchange transactions related to imports.
The Central Bank explained that the temporary dispensation became necessary due to ongoing system challenges affecting licence validation and renewal.
“The temporary dispensation has become necessary due to the transition from the legacy NICIS II system and the inability of importers to validate or renew NAFDAC licences on B’Odogwu after December 2025,” the bank said.
The apex bank directed all authorised dealer banks to continue accepting the affected NAFDAC licences strictly for the processing of Forms M during the approved period.
It further instructed banks to ensure full compliance with the conditions of the dispensation, stressing that the approval will lapse on February 28, 2026.
The measure, according to the Central Bank, is aimed at preventing disruptions to import and trade processes while NAFDAC completes the integration of its systems with the new national single window platform.
Industry operators say the decision will provide temporary relief to importers who have been unable to renew or validate their NAFDAC licences due to the system transition, helping to sustain trade activities and avoid delays at the ports.
The Central Bank added that normal documentation requirements would resume once the integration process is completed and the temporary approval expires.