Nigeria will introduce the Single Travel Emergency Passport in January 2026 to support citizens abroad who lose their passports, marking a major step in the government’s digital identity and migration-management reforms.
The announcement was made in Abuja by Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who said the Single Travel Emergency Passport will allow Nigerians overseas to instantly generate a secure, verifiable emergency travel document on any mobile device.
He said the innovation demonstrates the government’s commitment to modernising public services and strengthening national security, adding that the Single Travel Emergency Passport will eliminate long embassy visits and speed up emergency travel processes worldwide.
According to Tunji-Ojo, Nigerians abroad will be able to access the Single Travel Emergency Passport through a simplified digital platform, ensuring quicker assistance in cases of passport loss, theft or damage.
The Single Travel Emergency Passport will work alongside other identity initiatives, including the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card, which supports regional mobility and enhances border security across West Africa.
Earlier, the Nigeria Immigration Service confirmed that the Single Travel Emergency Passport will replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate and will be issued through designated embassies and consulates for a one-time entry into Nigeria.
The NIS said the Single Travel Emergency Passport forms part of broader efforts to align the country’s migration processes with international standards, improve identity management and strengthen border governance.
In recent months, the NIS has expanded several reforms, with the Single Travel Emergency Passport complementing upgrades to passport processing systems introduced in January 2025 to improve service delivery for local applicants.
The rollout of the Single Travel Emergency Passport also follows the launch of a contactless biometric passport application system for Nigerians abroad, deployed in countries such as the United States, Brazil, Jamaica and Mexico earlier in 2025.
Government data shows that more than 3.5 million passports have been issued in under two years, supported by enhanced centres nationwide and a centralised personalisation system capable of producing up to 5,000 passports daily — reforms that align with the deployment of the Single Travel Emergency Passport.
