Nigeria has completed its integration into the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Public Key Directory, a system that will streamline passport verification at border checkpoints worldwide. The move strengthens security for the country's travel documents and removes barriers that Nigerian passport holders have faced during international travel.
President Bola Tinubu, through the ministry of Interior, ensured all of Nigeria's Country Signing Certificate Authorities were imported into the ICAO PKD. The Nigeria Immigration Service confirmed this resolves long-standing passport verification challenges for Nigerians crossing foreign borders.
Kemi Nanna Nandap, comptroller-general of Immigration, led the completion ceremony at ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada. The exercise tackled passive authentication issues that some Nigerian passport holders encountered at certain foreign border control points.
According to AS Akinlabi, the service's public relations officer, Nigerian passports can now be verified instantly by border control systems across all ICAO PKD member states. The integration creates a chain of trust enabling automated systems worldwide to confirm the authenticity of Nigeria's e-passports in real time.
"This milestone reflects the Nigeria Immigration Service's continued investment in secure digital identity management and international border security cooperation, in tandem with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda," the statement read.
The service reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the integrity of Nigeria's travel documents while promoting global interoperability. The development also promises seamless border clearance for Nigerian passport holders.
The ICAO PKD functions as the central repository where member countries share digital certificates that validate electronic passports and travel documents. Nigeria's full participation is expected to cut delays, improve security checks, and boost global acceptance of the Nigerian passport.
