The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has finalized plans to introduce a new Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) to replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC).
The initiative is designed to provide a more secure, verifiable, and standardized temporary travel document for Nigerians abroad whose passports are expired, lost, or stolen, enabling them to return home without difficulty.
According to the NIS, the Single Travel Emergency Passport will serve as a one-time entry document and will be issued only at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates abroad. It will be valid for a single journey to Nigeria and will automatically expire after arrival.
The introduction of STEP marks a major step in the federal government’s ongoing reforms under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu–led administration, aimed at strengthening identity management, border security, and migration governance in line with international best practices.
Officials say the new document will enhance verification processes, curb misuse of temporary travel papers, and promote greater accountability in Nigeria’s passport and travel document system.
Implementation is expected to commence soon, following final operational approvals and deployment across Nigerian missions worldwide.
