FG to launch single travel emergency Passport January 2026

By Ade Ade

The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce a Single Travel Emergency Passport by January 2026 to assist Nigerians abroad who lose their passports, marking another major step in the administration’s ongoing digital identity and immigration reforms.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed that the new system will enable Nigerians to generate an emergency travel document directly from any mobile device, eliminating the need to physically visit a Nigerian embassy or consulate.

According to the minister, the initiative is designed to “simplify emergency travel processes for Nigerians in distress abroad while strengthening identity verification and border security.” He noted that the digital document will replace the current Emergency Travel Certificate and will be valid for a single entry into Nigeria. Issuance will still be routed through designated Nigerian foreign missions.

The introduction of the emergency passport is part of comprehensive reforms driven by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to modernise immigration operations and improve service delivery.

Recent reforms highlighted by the ministry include:

Upgrades to the national passport portal

Deployment of contactless biometric passport systems in several countries

Expansion of enhanced passport processing centres nationwide

Full digitalisation of expatriate permits

Launch of a centralised passport personalisation system capable of producing up to 5,000 passports daily — enabling same-day issuance.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo added that the Single Travel Emergency Passport will complement other identity innovations such as the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card, which enhances regional mobility and provides an additional layer of security in West Africa’s travel ecosystem.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued by Kamorudeen Yusuf, Special Duties Personal Assistant to the President.