By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
EFFORTS TO modernise Nigeria’s immigration and identity management systems have taken a major step forward as the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) confirmed plans to introduce a Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) to replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) for Nigerians abroad.
The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, disclosed the development while addressing delegates at the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes, jointly hosted by Nigeria in collaboration with the Government of France.
According to the NIS, the new passport forms part of its ongoing reforms to strengthen identity management and border governance in line with global best practices.
The agency stated that STEP will serve as a more secure and verifiable temporary travel document for Nigerians living abroad whose passports have expired, been lost, or stolen.
Nandap explained that the document will be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates and will be valid for a single entry into Nigeria.
“The forthcoming Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) will enable Nigerians abroad to return home safely in a secure and verifiable manner,” she said.
The Immigration Chief stressed that the initiative reflects the Service’s commitment to efficient service delivery and robust identity protection.
She noted that STEP will provide a reliable alternative to the ETC while ensuring better documentation and accountability in temporary travel processes.
During her keynote presentation titled “Insights on Prevention and Protection as Strategic Pillars to Effective Law Enforcement and Prosecution Responses,” Nandap outlined the Service’s broader reform strategy aimed at combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
The NIS reform agenda, she said, focuses on improving border governance and migration management through capacity building, data integration, and strengthened cooperation with regional and international partners.
The meeting convened migration experts and institutional stakeholders from Africa and Europe, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and representatives from various countries.
The Service reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to active participation in regional and international migration dialogues.
It emphasised that the introduction of STEP aligns with the objectives of the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes, which promote coordinated migration governance, safe return, and reintegration mechanisms.
According to the NIS, the new emergency passport will streamline the process for Nigerians stranded abroad due to loss or expiration of travel documents, ensuring that their return to Nigeria is conducted through a transparent and verifiable system.
Nandap explained that the reform complements ongoing digital initiatives designed to integrate border management systems with national identity infrastructure.
She added that the introduction of STEP reflects Nigeria’s determination to maintain global standards in travel documentation, identity verification, and migration control.
The NIS leadership further noted that the Service is collaborating with international partners to improve information sharing, enhance operational capacity, and adopt innovative solutions that will strengthen Nigeria’s migration management framework.
Highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation, the Immigration Chief stated that effective border governance requires shared responsibility among governments, development partners, and civil society.
She maintained that migration challenges such as irregular movement, trafficking, and smuggling can only be effectively addressed through sustained regional collaboration and practical policy alignment.
Nandap reiterated that the Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to upholding its mandate of ensuring safe and orderly migration while protecting national security interests.
She added that the Service will continue to pursue reforms that foster integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s borders and travel documents.
The Comptroller-General also reaffirmed the Service’s pledge to safeguard human rights and uphold international obligations under various migration frameworks.
She pointed out that through collaborative platforms such as the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes, Nigeria continues to play a leading role in regional efforts to manage migration responsibly and protect vulnerable persons on the move.
The introduction of the Single Travel Emergency Passport represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to modernise its immigration architecture.
The NIS confirmed that the document will soon be rolled out at Nigerian diplomatic missions worldwide, replacing the ETC system currently used for emergency repatriation.
Through this initiative, the Service seeks to provide Nigerians abroad with a reliable, secure, and verifiable travel document that ensures safe return and enhances the integrity of national identity systems.
The Immigration Service maintained that its reform trajectory is anchored on efficiency, innovation, and international cooperation, positioning Nigeria as a strong player in global migration management.
The NIS reiterated that the forthcoming STEP is part of broader institutional reforms that include enhanced data integration, improved service delivery, and strengthened border control mechanisms aimed at promoting national security and orderly migration.
