The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the imminent launch of the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) in January 2026, a comprehensive digital solution designed to assist Nigerians abroad who lose their travel documents.
The new system promises a significant relief for the diaspora by eliminating the long-standing requirement to visit an embassy in person to secure emergency travel papers.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on Friday in Abuja during the official launch of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC). He clarified that the STEP initiative will allow citizens who lose their passports to generate a single-entry emergency travel document using any mobile device, drastically streamlining the process.
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This new digital document is set to replace the antiquated Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) and is valid solely for a single entry back into Nigeria. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had earlier announced the intention to introduce the STEP, confirming that the move forms part of wider reforms to strengthen border governance, enhance identity management, and align its operations with international migration standards.
Regional Integration and Modernization Drive
The launch of the STEP is a complementary component of Nigeria’s accelerated push for digital integration, standing alongside the newly launched ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC). The ENBIC facilitates secure identity verification and easier travel within West Africa, reducing the pressure on the national passport system while reinforcing regional border security efforts.
Minister Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to trust the government’s capacity to tackle national challenges, calling for collective support for the ongoing security and administrative reforms that have been prioritized under the current administration.
The introduction of the STEP is the latest in a series of sweeping digital reforms rolled out by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) over the past months, aimed at modernizing its operations and improving service delivery both at home and abroad.
The comprehensive overhaul by the NIS has already yielded substantial results across several key operational areas.
Due to efficiency upgrades, the government reported in July 2025 that over 3.5 million passports had been issued in under two years. These reforms have led to the expansion of enhanced passport centres nationwide, ensuring that every passport issued is now harmonised and compliant with global travel standards.
A massive boost to production capacity was achieved with the introduction of a centralized passport personalization system in September 2025. This state-of-the-art facility is capable of producing up to 5,000 passports daily, a monumental increase from the previous capacity of 250–300. This upgrade has enabled applicants to receive their passports within four to five hours once the personalization stage is reached.
To improve services for Nigerians abroad, the NIS launched a contactless biometric passport application system, initially starting with key countries such as the United States, Brazil, Jamaica, and Mexico. Furthermore, the Service launched a digital platform for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), allowing expatriates to apply online for legal residence and work authorization in Nigeria, eliminating manual bottlenecks in the process.
These strategic initiatives, including the system upgrade on its domestic passport portal announced in January 2025, collectively demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to fully digitizing Nigeria’s migration and identity ecosystem, ultimately aiming for seamless, secure, and world-class service delivery for citizens and expatriates alike.