NIS to Replace ETC with Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP)

The Federal Government has announced a significant upgrade to its travel documentation for citizens abroad. A new Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) will soon replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC).

Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), disclosed this development. She made the announcement during a Joint Thematic Meeting. Nigeria co-hosted this meeting in collaboration with the Government of France.

Enhancing Security and Identity Management

The Service’s spokesman confirmed the details in a statement released on Wednesday. The head of the Immigration Service explained the reform’s design. The forthcoming STEP passport enhances identity management and strengthens border governance. This move aligns the Service’s operations with current international migration standards.

The STEP document will function as a temporary travel solution. This is for Nigerians residing abroad whose passports have been lost, stolen, or have expired.

• Function: It serves as a secure and verifiable form of identification.
• Validity: The STEP passport will be valid for a single-entry trip only.
• Issuance: Designated Nigerian embassies and consulates in foreign countries will issue it.

This reform reinforces the NIS’s commitment to robust identity protection and efficient service delivery.

Broader Reforms and Diplomatic Collaboration

Numerous stakeholders attended the meeting where the announcement was made. These included representatives from ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), and European countries.

Nigerian agencies present included the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The gathering focused on combating migrant smuggling and protecting vulnerable migrants.

The NIS has recently rolled out several modernization initiatives:

• Digital Platform: The Service launched an online system for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC). This allows expatriates to apply digitally for legal residence and work authorization.
• Passport Production: A centralized passport personalization system was introduced in September 2025. This system significantly increased daily production capacity. It enables the issuance of up to 5,000 passports daily.

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