FG mulls emergency passport for Nigerians abroad

The Federal Government is set to introduce the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) for Nigerians abroad.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, announced this at the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat and Niamey Processes, organised and co-hosted by Nigeria in collaboration with the French government.

A statement issued by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, quoted Nandap as saying that the emergency passport 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.

Tinubu declares state of emergency in police training institutions

Nandap noted that the travel document will be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates abroad and will be valid only for a single entry.

She said the emergency passport will replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC), adding that 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 NIS boss reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global migration dialogues, emphasising 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 Star