The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced plans to replace the Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) with a Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) for Nigerians living abroad. The new passport will serve as a secure, verifiable temporary travel document for citizens whose passports have expired, been lost, or stolen while overseas. It will be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates and will allow a single entry into Nigeria.
Comptroller‑General of Immigration Kemi Nanna Nandap presented the initiative during the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes, co‑hosted by Nigeria and the Government of France. The meeting gathered regional and international migration stakeholders to discuss effective law‑enforcement and prosecution strategies for migration challenges.
Nandap emphasized that the STEP underscores the Service’s commitment to efficient service delivery and robust identity protection. She also highlighted the broader reform agenda, which includes enhanced border governance, improved migration‑management systems, capacity building, and stronger international collaboration to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
The introduction of the STEP is expected to facilitate safe, orderly migration for Nigerians abroad, enabling secure and verifiable returns home. The NIS reaffirmed its dedication to regional and global migration dialogues, aligning its policies with international standards to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration across borders. Consequently, Nigerians living abroad can anticipate improved services and greater protection from their government.
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