November 05, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has taken a major step to strengthen Nigeria’s migration and border security framework with the announcement of a biometric-based Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP), designed to replace the current Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC).
The bold reform was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, at a high-level Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat and Niamey Processes, hosted in Abuja.
Speaking at the forum, Nandap stated that the STEP initiative forms a key component of the Service’s comprehensive modernisation agenda, aimed at enhancing identity management, curbing document fraud and improving border governance in line with international standards. She emphasised that the innovation will enable Nigeria to validate the identity and movement of emergency evacuees and stranded citizens abroad effectively while closing loopholes exploited by criminal syndicates.
The NIS boss noted that the current ETC regime has served the country for decades but requires an urgent upgrade, given emerging migration realities, rising security threats and advanced techniques employed by transnational criminal networks. According to her, the biometric STEP will provide stronger security features, global recognition and enhanced traceability.
The Joint Thematic Meeting, co-hosted by Nigeria and the Government of France, brought together key national and international actors in migration and border management. The strategic dialogue convened top officials from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), ECOWAS, African Union, the European Union, and representatives of African and European nations.
The forum focused on strengthening coordinated responses to the growing threats of migrant smuggling and human trafficking across established African and European migration corridors. Delegates reviewed challenges, shared operational strategies and identified new areas of cooperation to enhance prevention, protection and prosecution frameworks.
In her remarks, Nandap affirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to working with international partners to dismantle smuggling networks, protect vulnerable migrants and ensure safe, orderly and regular migration. She stressed that no country can tackle irregular migration in isolation, as the phenomenon is driven by global dynamics, criminal networks, and socio-economic pressures.
Participants underscored the urgent need for improved intelligence sharing, harmonisation of legal frameworks and deployment of modern technology in border surveillance and migrant identification. They also highlighted the importance of capacity-building for frontline officers, community sensitisation and diplomatic cooperation to reduce irregular movements.
The meeting also addressed root causes of irregular migration, including poverty, conflict, weak governance and climate-induced displacement. Speakers noted that lasting solutions require development-driven interventions, job creation and strengthened support systems for vulnerable populations.
Human rights featured prominently in the discussions, with emphasis on protecting the dignity and safety of smuggled migrants and victims of trafficking. Stakeholders reiterated that migration management reforms must uphold humanitarian principles while advancing national and regional security interests.
Nandap used the occasion to reaffirm NIS’ ongoing reforms, including enhanced border patrol operations, expanded use of biometrics and digital travel systems, strengthened document security and improved collaboration with international security bodies. She added that successes recorded in tackling cross-border crimes would be strengthened with deeper intelligence cooperation.
She commended the Government of France and other partners for supporting regional platforms that drive collaborative migration management. According to her, such partnerships are vital to building resilient migration systems, promoting legal pathways and reducing exploitation of desperate migrants.
The meeting concluded with a renewed joint commitment to coordinated action, shared responsibility and sustained investment in migration governance. Delegates emphasised that effective multilateral partnership remains central to combating cross-border criminality and safeguarding the rights and freedoms of migrants.
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