The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has unveiled a new Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) a biometric travel document designed to assist Nigerians abroad who have lost their passports, or whose passports have expired or been stolen, to return home securely.

The announcement was made by the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, during the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes held in Abuja, co-hosted by Nigeria and France.

According to a statement issued by ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, the STEP initiative will replace the current Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) as part of ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing identity management and border governance in line with global best practices.

“The 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,”
— CGI Kemi Nandap stated.

She further explained that the new document will be issued only at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates, valid for a single entry, and will strengthen both service efficiency and identity protection.

The high-level migration meeting gathered key stakeholders, including NAPTIP, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, ECOWAS, AU, EU, and representatives from African and European nations. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking, with an emphasis on prevention, protection, and prosecution.

In her keynote speech, titled “Insights on Prevention and Protection as Strategic Pillars to Effective Law Enforcement and Prosecution Responses,” Nandap highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to aligning its immigration reforms with international migration standards, ensuring safe, orderly, and regular migration.