The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has authorised a brief window permitting importers to make use of expired Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC) licences for import documentation, extending aid to companies affected by ongoing system transitions in Nigeria’s commerce processing framework.
In a round issued on January 26, 2026, by the Commerce and Change Division and revealed on its web site on Tuesday, the Central Bank of Nigeria stated authorised supplier banks might proceed processing Type M functions with NAFDAC licences that lapsed on December 31, 2025.
The approval runs for 2 months and can finish on February 28, 2026.
The round was signed by Aliyu M. Ashiru because the Director of the Commerce and Change Division.
The apex {bank} stated the approval follows a brief dispensation granted by the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management, allowing the continued use of the affected licences strictly for Type M processing through the interval.
The CBN defined that the measure was necessitated by operational challenges arising from the migration away from the legacy NICIS II platform.
The CBN added that the transfer is aimed toward guaranteeing continuity in commerce transactions whereas NAFDAC finalises the mixing of its techniques with the Nationwide Single Window.
Type M is a compulsory digital import documentation platform in Nigeria used to seize particulars of products imported into the nation, serving as the premise for commerce monitoring, international alternate utilisation, and customs clearance.
It’s processed by authorised supplier banks and linked to Nigeria Customs techniques, making it central to import management, FX demand administration, and commerce information integrity.
By Type M insurance policies, the CBN performs a direct position in managing Nigeria’s steadiness of funds, curbing trade-related FX leakages, and aligning imports with nationwide {economic} and regulatory priorities.
