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Biscuits are a staple snack in Nigeria, enjoyed across all age groups and sold in virtually every corner of the country. From popular imported brands like McVitie’s Digestives, Oreo, and Bisco to well-known locally made products such as NASCO Biscuits, Beloxxi Cream Crackers, and Yale Cabin, the market continues to grow in variety and volume.

To ensure consumer safety and product quality, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) mandates that all pre-packaged food products, including biscuits, be registered before they can be legally imported, distributed, or sold in Nigeria.

This article provides a practical guide to registering biscuits with NAFDAC—highlighting key requirements, timelines, and tips for both local manufacturers and importers.

Step-By-Step Guide on How to Register Biscuits with NAFDAC

Step 1: Register your company or your business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). For foreign companies not looking to set up a Nigerian company, appoint a registered local agent. The local agent acts on behalf of the foreign manufacturer and facilitates registration of the products.

Step 2: Register your trademark or brand name with the Ministry of Trade and Investment.

Step 3: Create an account on the NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS).

Step 4: Write an Application Letter with your company’s letterhead, addressed to the Director of Food Registration and Regulatory Affairs (FR&RA) Directorate.

Step 5: Purchase, complete and print out the online registration form at NAFDAC Website. Note that a separate registration form is to be filled for different biscuits.

Step 6: Attach the following documents:

1. Evidence of Business Incorporation. For Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); evidence of Business name.
2. Evidence of trademark registration with the Trademark Registry in the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment in Nigeria.
3. For locally manufactured biscuits, evidence of satisfactory inspection issued by the Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Directorate (FSAN) or Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certificate for product line (companies with registered products).
4. Notarized Declaration signed by a Notary Public in Nigeria.
5. Power of Attorney (POA), if applying on behalf of a manufacturer outside Nigeria, stating the authority to register the biscuit products with NAFDAC and indicating ownership of the brand name or trademark.
6. A Contract Manufacturing Agreement (CMA), where the applicant is applying on behalf of his company, stating the names of all the biscuit products to be registered. The CMA should be signed by both the applicant and the manufacturer; and notarized in the country of manufacture.
7. For imported biscuits, a Certificate of Manufacture and Free sale. This Certificate should be obtained from the relevant health/regulatory body in the country of manufacture, showing that the company is licensed to produce the food product and that it complies with local laws.
8. A Certificate of Analysis. The Certificate of Analysis must be presented in the letterheaded paper of the Quality Control Laboratory where the biscuits were tested.
9. Label or Artwork of the Product (s)
10. Biscuit Samples for laboratory analysis.
11. A letter of Invitation for Good Manufacturing Practice. Write a letter inviting NAFDAC to inspect the manufacturing facility abroad, for imported biscuits. The letter should include details about the manufacturer and the local agent in Nigeria, including their contact information.

Typically, facility inspection is valid for three (3) years. However, depending on the risk categorization of the product as either high or low, NAFDAC may conduct facility inspection up to twice a year, after registration.

Note that the facility inspection is mandatory, and it comes at an extra cost. See costs in Table 1.

Step 7: Submit All Documents

Submit the completed application form and all accompanying documents to the Office of the Director, FR&RA Directorate at the NAFDAC office in Lagos or to the nearest NAFDAC office, if outside Lagos State.

Step 8: Obtain an Import Permit

Upon successful screening of the documentation and review of supporting documents, an Import Permit will be issued after which, the product(s) should be submitted for vetting of the labels. This step applies to imported biscuits, and the permit is only for samples to be used during the laboratory analysis of the products. Note that this permit is valid only for one (1) year.

Step 9: Submit the Product(s) for Laboratory Analysis

After successful vetting of the product labels, submit samples for laboratory analysis. Include evidence of payment to NAFDAC, the certificate of analysis, and proof that the samples are vetted.

Step 10: Submit the Products for Approval Meetings

If everything meets the Agency’s standards, the product should be presented for approval at an Approval Meeting. If the product labels do not meet compliance requirements for labelling of imported products, the Applicant can submit a compliant artwork along with a commitment letter from the manufacturer stating that the commercial products will comply.

Thereafter, a notification of registration or Listing is issued to the Applicant where the product is approved, while a compliance directive is issued where the product is not approved.

Finally, a successful applicant will also be given a Certificate of Registration with a validity period of 5 years which can be renewed.

How much Does it Cost to register Biscuits with NAFDAC?

Below are some of the applicable the government fees:

Table 1:Cost of Registration With NAFDAC

Description	Local	Foreign
Registration Fee	N22,000 (Micro Scale) N 30,000 (Small Scale) N 40,000 (Medium or Large Scale)	$1350
Facility Inspection	N15000 (Micro Scale) N30,000 (Small Scale) N40,000 (Large Scale) All renewable yearly	$11,000 Per site
Laboratory Analysis	N5,500 (Micro Scale) N40,000 (Small, Medium & Large)	N135,000
Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate	N20,000

Registering Multiple Products with NAFDAC

If your biscuits are to be listed under the Global Supermarket Listing, the cost will depend on the number of products to be listed. Global Supermarket listing is relevant for products intended to be sold in large supermarket chains—especially those with global recognition or standards.

For Global Supermarket Listing, the price is as follows:

1. 1-100 items – N1,500,000.00
2. 101-250 items – N3,300,000.00
3. 251-500 items – N7,000,000.00
4. 501-1000 items – N12,000,000.00
5. 1001-5000 items (max) – N20,000,000.00

How Long Does It take to Register Biscuits With NAFDAC?

The timeline for product registration from acceptance of submissions to issuance of Registration number is one hundred and twenty (120) working days, provided that the requirements and documents are accurate.

Conclusion

It is important to note that registration does not automatically grant advertising permit for the product. Advertising permit is granted by the Food Advertisement Control Division in the Directorate of Registration and Regulatory Affairs, after careful evaluation of the claims made to ensure that exposed materials correspond to the approvals given.

It is also important to comply with all requirements and respond (within 90 working days) to the Agency’s queries to avoid disqualification or delays.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to get your biscuits registered with NAFDAC.