By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigeria Immigration Service has announced plans to introduce a Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP), a new biometric document designed to help Nigerians abroad return home when their passports are expired, lost or stolen. Comptroller-General of Immigration Kemi Nanna Nandap disclosed the development at a joint meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat and Niamey Processes in Abuja.
According to a statement by NIS spokesperson ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, STEP will replace the current Emergency Travel Certificate as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen identity management and border governance. Nandap said the new document will provide a more secure and verifiable option for stranded Nigerians and will be issued only at designated embassies and consulates.
She explained that the STEP passport will be valid for a single entry into Nigeria, reinforcing its purpose as a temporary travel solution and enhancing the service’s commitment to efficient migration management and identity protection.
The Abuja meeting brought together migration agencies, ECOWAS, AU, EU and representatives from African and European countries to strengthen cooperation in tackling migrant smuggling and human trafficking. In her keynote address, Nandap emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to global migration standards and pledged continued alignment of immigration policies with international best practices.
