Migration in Nigeria is set for improvement as the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, announced the introduction of the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) to replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC).
She made this known at the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes, co-hosted by Nigeria and the Government of France.
The initiative strengthens identity management and border governance to promote safe and orderly travel in line with global best practices.
Migration Management
The high-level meeting brought together critical stakeholders in migration management, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). Representatives from ECOWAS, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and other international bodies also discussed ways to improve movement systems and cooperation.
The forum focused on reinforcing coordination in preventing and prosecuting migrant smuggling and human trafficking. It served as a platform for sharing best practices, aligning legal frameworks, and ensuring sustained action in tackling irregular relocation across African and European routes. Participants also emphasized protecting the rights of migrants and victims of trafficking.
In her keynote address titled Insights on Prevention and Protection as Strategic Pillars to Effective Law Enforcement and Prosecution Responses, Nandap outlined the Nigeria Immigration Service’s (NIS) reform agenda. She explained that better border governance, capacity building, and stronger international collaboration are vital to efficient migration management and national security.
According to her, the forthcoming STEP will serve as a temporary travel document for Nigerians abroad whose passports are expired, lost, or stolen. The single-entry document will be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates to ensure verified and secure migration procedures while facilitating a safe return home.
Nandap reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global travel dialogues. She stressed that the NIS will continue aligning its policies and operations with international standards to promote safe, regular, and lawful movement across borders.
