CBN Allows Use of Expired NAFDAC Licenses for Imports Until February

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted a temporary window for the use of expired National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) licenses for imports until February 28, 2026. This move aims to alleviate challenges arising from the migration to the new NAFDAC platform.

The CBN authorized dealer banks to continue processing applications for NAFDAC licenses that expired on December 31, 2025. The circular, signed by Aliyu M.

Ashiru, Director of the Trade Exchange Department at CBN, emphasizes the necessity of this measure to ensure smooth trade transactions. The initiative aligns with efforts to integrate NAFDAC's system into the nation's single-window platform for mandatory electronic import documentation.

This step also plays a crucial role in managing Nigeria's balance of payments and curbing trade-related foreign exchange leakages.