The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the temporary use of expired National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) licences for import documentation, following operational challenges affecting licence renewals.
In a circular issued by its Trade and Exchange Department and published on the apex bank’s website, the CBN announced that authorised dealer banks may continue to process Form M applications using NAFDAC licences that expired at the end of last year.
The two-month approval takes immediate effect and is aimed at easing disruptions caused by the ongoing migration from the legacy Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II platform.
According to the circular signed by Aliyu M. Ashiru on behalf of the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, the decision follows a temporary dispensation granted by NAFDAC.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to notify all Authorised Dealer Banks and the general public of a temporary dispensation offered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control permitting the continued use of NAFDAC licences that expired last year ending, for the processing of Forms M for a two-month temporary dispensation ending next month,” the circular stated.
The CBN explained that many importers have been unable to validate or renew their NAFDAC licences due to technical difficulties encountered on the B’Odogwu platform after last year’s transition.
As a result, authorised dealer banks have been directed to continue accepting the affected licences strictly for Form M processing within the approved period.
The apex bank said the move is intended to prevent delays in import documentation and ensure continuity in trade transactions while NAFDAC completes the integration of its systems with the National Single Window.
“This measure is designed to ease bottlenecks in trade operations and support seamless import activities during the transition phase,” the CBN noted.
However, the bank stressed that the approval is time-bound and will lapse automatically next month, urging all authorised dealer banks to comply strictly with the stated terms.
