Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced plans to introduce a Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP), a new biometric document that will enable Nigerians abroad with expired, lost, or stolen passports to travel back home securely.
The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, made this known in Abuja during the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes, co-hosted by Nigeria and the Government of France.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Service Public Relations Officer, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi.
According to the NIS, STEP will replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) as part of ongoing reforms targeted at strengthening identity management and border governance in line with global standards.
Nandap explained that the new travel document will be issued to Nigerians abroad strictly for single entry into the country, providing a more secure and verifiable identity platform than the current ETC.
“The STEP will serve as a temporary travel document for Nigerians abroad whose passports are expired, lost or stolen, enabling them to return home in a secure and verifiable manner,” she said.
The CGI added that the document will only be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates overseas, further reinforcing the Service’s commitment to improved service delivery and robust identity protection.
The high-level migration forum in Abuja drew key stakeholders, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NAPTIP, ECOWAS, African Union (AU), European Union (EU), and representatives from African and European countries.
Discussions centered on boosting collaboration to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking, with emphasis on prevention, protection, and prosecution across regional migration corridors.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Insights on Prevention and Protection as Strategic Pillars to Effective Law Enforcement and Prosecution Responses,” Nandap outlined the NIS reform agenda, which prioritises enhanced migration systems, international partnerships, and institutional capacity building.
The statement added that the Comptroller-General reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global migration dialogues, stressing that the Service will continue to align its policies with international standards to promote “safe, orderly and regular migration across borders.”