The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled plans to introduce a Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) — a new biometric document designed to assist Nigerians living abroad who have lost their passports or whose travel documents have expired, allowing them to return home safely and securely.
The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, announced the initiative during the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes, co-hosted by Nigeria and France in Abuja.
According to a statement by the NIS Public Relations Officer, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, the new STEP document will replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening identity management and border governance in line with global standards.
Nandap explained that the STEP will function as a temporary travel document issued only once and valid for a single entry into Nigeria. It will be available at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates worldwide, ensuring a secure and verifiable process for Nigerians needing to return home.
The Abuja meeting brought together major stakeholders in migration management, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), NAPTIP, ECOWAS, AU, EU, and representatives from African and European nations. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking, with an emphasis on prevention, protection, and prosecution.
In her keynote address, “Insights on Prevention and Protection as Strategic Pillars to Effective Law Enforcement and Prosecution Responses,” Nandap highlighted ongoing NIS reforms aimed at improving migration management, fostering international cooperation, and enhancing institutional capacity.
“The Comptroller-General reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global migration dialogues, emphasising that the Nigeria Immigration Service will continue to align its policies and operations with international standards to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration across borders,” the statement added.
