The Federal Government is set to introduce a new Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) to replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) for Nigerians abroad.
Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, announced the development at the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes, co-hosted by Nigeria and France.
According to a statement by the Service’s spokesman, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, the new STEP document will serve as a temporary travel passport for Nigerians overseas whose passports have expired, been lost, or stolen, enabling them to return home safely.
“The forthcoming Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) will be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates abroad and will be valid for single entry only,” the statement read. “It reinforces the Service’s commitment to efficient service delivery and strong identity protection.”
The initiative is part of broader NIS reforms aimed at strengthening identity management and border governance in line with global standards.
The high-level meeting convened key stakeholders in migration management, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), NAPTIP, ECOWAS, AU, EU, and representatives from several African and European countries.
The session focused on enhancing collaboration in tackling migrant smuggling and human trafficking, aligning legal frameworks, and protecting the rights of migrants.
In her keynote address, titled “Insights on Prevention and Protection as Strategic Pillars to Effective Law Enforcement and Prosecution Responses: The Nigeria Immigration Service Perspective,” Nandap outlined the Service’s ongoing reforms targeting smuggling, trafficking, and irregular migration.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to global migration partnerships, noting that the NIS would continue aligning its policies and operations with international best practices to promote safe and orderly migration.
