NIS To Introduce Single Travel Emergency Passport

The Nigeria Immigration Service is to introduce a Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) to replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC).

The initiative forms part of the Service’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Identity Management and Border Governance frameworks in line with global best practices.

The Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap made this known at a Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat and Niamey Processes organised and co-hosted by Nigeria and Government of France.

Delivering her keynote address titled “Insights on Prevention and Protection as Strategic Pillars to Effective Law Enforcement and Prosecution Responses” the Nigeria Immigration Service Perspective, the Comptroller-General highlighted part of the Service’s comprehensive reform agenda which also focuses on combating Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons through enhanced Border Governance, improved Migration Management systems, capacity building, and strengthened international collaboration.

The CGI explained that the forthcoming Single Travel Emergency Passport (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 noted that the travel document will be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates abroad and valid only for single entry, reinforcing the Service’s commitment to efficient service delivery and robust identity protection.

The Comptroller-General reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global migration dialogues, emphasizing 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 high-level meeting convened critical stakeholders in migration management in Nigeria and abroad including National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NCFRMI, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters, NAPTIP, Representatives from ECOWAS, AU, EU, African and European Countries.

The meeting seeks to enforce coordinated prevention, protection and prosecution responses to Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons across African European migration routes among participating migration agencies.

It also serves as a platform for sharing best practices, aligning legal frameworks, and fostering inter-agency cooperation.

Nkiru Njemanze, Grace Namiji