Nigeria is preparing to roll out a groundbreaking Single Travel Emergency Passport in January 2026, a reform that officials describe as both citizen-centric and transformative. The announcement, made by Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during the unveiling of the ECOWAS Biometric ID Card in Abuja, places Nigeria among nations embracing digital-first identity systems. According to Tunji-Ojo, the passport is designed to provide immediate support to Nigerians abroad who lose their travel documents, allowing them to generate an emergency passport directly from any mobile device — a shift that aligns with global digital identity standards.

At its core, the digital passport eliminates the long-standing requirement of physically appearing at an embassy or consulate in emergency cases, a move expected to drastically reduce delays and enhance efficiency. It also complements the rollout of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card, created to strengthen secure mobility across West Africa. The Nigerian Immigration Service confirmed that the digital emergency passport will replace the traditional Emergency Travel Certificate and will be issued through designated consulates for single-entry travel, aligning seamlessly with wider border governance reforms backed by Nigeria’s immigration leadership.

The upcoming launch builds upon a string of high-impact reforms under Dr. Tunji-Ojo, whose tenure has earned widespread public commendation. One of his most celebrated achievements is the unprecedented clearance of the nationwide passport backlog, a burden that had frustrated thousands of applicants for years. The ministry implemented technological upgrades and overhauled its workflow, bringing transparency and predictability back into the process while restoring public confidence in the Nigerian passport system.

Nigerians at home and in the diaspora now experience significantly shorter processing times, thanks to improved logistics, structured automation, and better coordination between federal and local passport offices. These improvements have been particularly welcomed by diaspora communities, many of whom have long advocated for a more responsive and digitally-driven service. Their feedback reflects a renewed trust in public institutions—an outcome officials attribute to the ministry’s unwavering commitment to modernization.

Much of this progress has been supported by the strong partnership between the Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Immigration Service under Comptroller General Kemi Nandap. Her leadership, widely described as decisive, has ensured the successful execution of reforms by adopting modern technology and reinforcing operational discipline across immigration units. Her role has been pivotal in ensuring that ambitious policy changes translate into functional systems benefiting citizens worldwide.

Together, Dr. Tunji-Ojo and Comptroller General Nandap have become leading voices in a new era of governance aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Their work—highlighted through major national reforms and digital overhauls—reflects a government determined to rebuild institutions and restore credibility in public service. With the introduction of the Single Travel Emergency Passport, Nigeria stands at the threshold of a fully digitized migration and identity ecosystem, driven by innovation, accountability, and a renewed sense of national purpose.