AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
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The short answer
Food, medicines, cosmetics, medical devices and other NAFDAC-regulated products cannot be imported, advertised or sold in Nigeria until each product is registered with NAFDAC. A seller abroad cannot apply alone: the applicant must be a company incorporated in Nigeria, acting under a notarised power of attorney from the manufacturer. Choosing whether that is your own Nigerian company or your distributor decides who controls your product's right to be sold.
Many businesses abroad want to sell into Nigeria as well as buy from it: skincare made in the UK, supplements from the US, baby products from Canada, packaged foods from Europe. If the product falls under NAFDAC, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, registration comes before the first sale. This guide explains which products need it and the decision that shapes everything else: who holds the registration. The application steps are in NAFDAC registration as a foreign manufacturer.
Which products need registration
NAFDAC's product guidelines are explicit. Examples from the guidelines read in October 2026:
| Product group | What the guideline says | Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics | No cosmetic may be manufactured, imported, exported, advertised, sold or distributed in Nigeria unless registered | Imported cosmetics guideline (2018 edition, clause 1.2) |
| Food | Unregistered food products may not be imported | Imported food guideline, effective 1 Mar 2021 |
| Medicines | Registration with a dossier, GMP inspection and a 5-year certificate | Imported drugs guideline, effective 20 Mar 2025 |
| Medical devices, including diagnostics | No device may be manufactured, imported or sold unless registered | Medical devices guideline, effective 10 Apr 2025 |
Other regulated groups include packaged water and chemicals; if your product touches the body, is eaten or drunk, or makes a health claim, assume NAFDAC is involved and check. Registration is per product: NAFDAC's online portal takes one application form per product. The cosmetics guideline adds that filing an application or paying the fee does not by itself confer registration, and that advertising needs a separate permit.
What registration does not cover
- Products on the Federal Government import prohibition list or NAFDAC's ceiling list. The devices guideline says no new applications are accepted for those items.
- Products for SONCAP. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria lists food, medicines and medical items other than equipment as exempt from SONCAP, because NAFDAC regulates them.
- Import documentation. A NAFDAC permit is among the item permits banks list for Form M on food, chemicals and pharmaceuticals; see what Form M means for an overseas seller.
Who can apply for a seller abroad
Each guideline requires a Nigerian applicant: evidence of incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission, and a power of attorney from the manufacturer, notarised in the country of manufacture and valid for at least five years. The cosmetics guideline says the power of attorney states who owns the brand. In practice you have three options:
| Option | Advantages | Risks |
|---|---|---|
| Your own Nigerian company | You hold the registrations; you can change distributors freely | Cost and admin of a company in Nigeria; staff or agents needed for NAFDAC contact |
| Your distributor holds them | Fast; the distributor already has staff and a NAFDAC relationship | If the relationship ends, your products may be tied to their registrations |
| A regulatory agent holds them for you | Specialist handling, separate from sales | Fees; you still need clear contract terms on transfer |
Whichever route, your power of attorney and distribution contract should say the registrations are held for you and must be transferred or surrendered on request when the relationship ends. See key terms in a Nigerian distributor agreement and the pitfalls of a sole agent. Company formation is covered in how to register a private limited company in Nigeria.
Labels are part of registration
Labels are reviewed as part of the file, and for food NAFDAC vets labels before samples are sent. The Pre-Packaged Food, Water and Ice (Labelling) Regulations 2019 require, among other things, the product name in bold on the main panel, an ingredient list in descending order of weight, allergens such as peanuts, milk, eggs, fish, soy and gluten cereals always declared, net content in metric units, the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor, and the country of origin. A label designed for the UK or US market often needs changes before it is accepted.
Timelines to plan around
The guidelines publish target times once a complete application is in: 120 working days for imported food and 240 working days for imported medicines, with 90 days to close out any query NAFDAC raises. Certificates for food, medicines and cosmetics run for five years. Plan launch dates around these, not around shipping.
What to check first
- Confirm your product is not on the import prohibition or NAFDAC ceiling lists.
- Decide who will hold the registrations and put that in writing.
- Register your trade mark in Nigeria; the guidelines ask for it.
- Gather manufacturer documents that must be authenticated by a Nigerian mission.
- Budget for registration time before sales start.
Where Pryme fits
Once registered products sell, a Pryme Business Account can receive naira through local account details and hold it alongside USD, GBP and EUR, converting on Swap when you choose, with the rate and fee shown first. Invoicing helps you bill Nigerian distributors.
Questions people ask
Do I need NAFDAC registration to sell cosmetics in Nigeria?
Yes. NAFDAC's cosmetics guideline says no cosmetic may be imported, advertised, sold or distributed in Nigeria unless registered.
Can a foreign company register a product with NAFDAC?
Not directly. The applicant must be a company incorporated in Nigeria with a notarised power of attorney from the manufacturer.
How long does NAFDAC registration take for imported food?
The imported food guideline targets 120 working days once a complete application is in, with 90 days to resolve queries.
How long is a NAFDAC registration valid?
For food, medicines and cosmetics the guidelines give five years, after which it must be renewed.
Sources
- NAFDAC (via PolicyVault): Guidelines for registration of imported cosmetics, 2018 · accessed Oct 2026
- NAFDAC: Guidelines for registration of imported food products · accessed Oct 2026
- NAFDAC: Guidelines for registration of imported drug products, 2025 · accessed Oct 2026
- SON: SONCAP FAQ · accessed Oct 2026
- NAFDAC: Guidelines for registration of medical devices, 2025 · accessed Oct 2026
- NAFDAC Pre-Packaged Food, Water and Ice (Labelling) Regulations 2019 (via PolicyVault) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.