The Federal Government has announced that the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) will be launched in January 2026, providing a fully digital solution for Nigerians abroad who lose their passports.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the launch of the ECOWAS Biometric ID Card. He said the new system will allow citizens to generate an emergency travel document directly from any mobile device, removing the need to visit a Nigerian embassy or consulate in person.
“This initiative will enable Nigerians abroad who lose their passports to generate an emergency travel document using any mobile device without visiting an embassy,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He urged Nigerians to trust the government’s capacity to address national challenges and called for collective support for ongoing security and identity-management reforms.
The STEP is expected to complement other digital identity initiatives, including the recently introduced ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), designed to ease travel across West Africa and strengthen regional border security.
Earlier this month, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced that the STEP will replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate. The document will be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates and will be valid for a single entry into the country.
The NIS said the initiative is part of broader reforms aimed at improving border governance, enhancing identity management, and aligning Nigeria’s migration framework with international standards.
