The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced its plan to launch a Single Travel Emergency Passport, a new initiative aimed at assisting Nigerians stranded abroad due to expired, lost, or stolen passports. The move is part of the agency’s efforts to simplify emergency travel procedures and ensure that citizens can return home safely without unnecessary delays.
According to the NIS, the new travel document will be a single-use, biometric-based passport designed specifically for emergency travel. It will serve as a secure and verifiable means for Nigerians in distress abroad to return to the country when their regular passports are unavailable or invalid. The introduction of this passport is expected to enhance the efficiency of Nigeria’s immigration system and strengthen the country’s global identity management framework.
Officials from the NIS explained that the Single Travel Emergency Passport will replace the old temporary travel certificate, which had limited security features and was prone to abuse and duplication. The new system will include biometric verification to ensure authenticity, reduce cases of identity fraud, and streamline immigration processes at both Nigerian and foreign airports.
The Controller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service emphasized that the initiative aligns with global best practices in travel documentation. He noted that several countries have adopted similar systems to handle emergency travel situations for their citizens abroad. The NIS believes that by introducing this measure, Nigeria will improve the protection and documentation of its citizens while abroad and enhance the credibility of its travel documents.
The emergency passport will be processed through Nigerian embassies and consulates across the world. It will be issued only after proper verification of the applicant’s identity and nationality, using the country’s existing passport database. Once issued, the document will allow a one-way trip back to Nigeria and will not be valid for multiple travels. Upon arrival, the holder will be expected to reapply for a standard Nigerian passport through the regular process.
Immigration officials stated that the biometric features of the emergency passport will include digital photographs and fingerprint data, making it compatible with international security and border control systems. This will ensure that Nigerian travelers can be accurately identified and that the document cannot be easily forged or misused.
The NIS further highlighted that the project is part of broader reforms being implemented to modernize Nigeria’s immigration operations. These reforms include the introduction of digital services for passport applications, border management upgrades, and improved coordination with international agencies to strengthen security and identity verification standards.
Nigerians living abroad have welcomed the development, noting that it would help address the long-standing challenges of being stranded in foreign countries due to the loss or expiration of passports. Many expressed optimism that the system would reduce bureaucratic delays and ease the burden on consular offices handling such cases.
The Nigeria Immigration Service reassured citizens that the implementation of the new emergency passport will be transparent and efficient. The agency also warned against fraudulent intermediaries, advising Nigerians abroad to only apply through official embassy channels.
The Single Travel Emergency Passport is expected to be rolled out in the coming months after final approval and system testing. Once operational, it will serve as a critical lifeline for Nigerians facing travel emergencies, providing a secure and convenient way for them to return home safely.
