NIS to Introduce Single Travel Emergency Passport for Nigerians Abroad

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced plans to roll out a Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) for Nigerians abroad who lose their passports, have them stolen, or hold expired ones. The new document will allow affected citizens to return home safely and with a verified identity.

STEP will replace the current Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) and will be issued at selected Nigerian embassies and consulates worldwide.

The announcement was made by the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, during the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes, co-hosted by Nigeria and France.

A Temporary, Secure Return Document

A statement signed by NIS spokesperson ACI Akinlabi said STEP will function strictly as a single-entry document, designed to provide a secure means of identification for Nigerians returning home in emergencies.

Nandap explained that the initiative aligns with wider immigration reforms focused on strengthening identity management, improving border governance, and modernising service delivery across the agency.

According to her, STEP will be issued only through designated Nigerian missions abroad and cannot serve as a substitute for a standard passport. Instead, it is meant for citizens who need to travel urgently but cannot access a regular passport renewal or replacement while outside the country.

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She added that the reform reflects NIS’s commitment to international migration standards and better protection for Nigerians navigating difficult travel situations.

Part of Broader Immigration Reforms

The meeting where STEP was announced featured key migration and security stakeholders, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), NAPTIP, ECOWAS, the African Union, and European partners.

Discussions focused on addressing migrant smuggling and improving support for vulnerable migrants.

STEP is one of several reforms recently introduced by the NIS. In 2025, the agency launched a digital portal for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), allowing expatriates to apply online for legal residency and work permits in Nigeria.

Also in September 2025, the Immigration Service unveiled a centralized passport personalization system capable of producing up to 5,000 passports daily, a major upgrade from the previous 250–300.

With the new system, applicants can receive their passports within four to five hours, significantly reducing processing time.

NIS says these innovations reflect its push toward efficient service delivery, improved security, and modernized identity verification systems for both Nigerians and foreign nationals.