The federal government said it has strengthened its international passport authentication system by integrating its Country Signing Certificate Authorities (CSCAs) into the Public Key Directory (PKD) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The milestone was achieved on Monday, July 13, 2026, during a ceremony held at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
In a statement signed Wednesday in Abuja by the Service Public Relation Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the development facilitated by the Ministry of Interior under the leadership of Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is expected to improve the global verification of Nigerian passports and eliminate authentication challenges previously encountered by some holders at foreign border control points.
“The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi N Nandap, led the exercise, which ensures that Nigeria’s passport data is now accessible within the ICAO PKD system, a global platform used by member states to validate electronic travel documents.
“With the successful integration, Nigerian passports can now be verified seamlessly across all ICAO PKD member countries, establishing a trusted digital chain that enhances border security and travel efficiency.”
Officials said the move underscores the Nigeria Immigration Service’s commitment to strengthening digital identity management and improving international cooperation on border security.
The statement added:” The initiative also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in promoting secure travel documentation, global interoperability, and smoother border clearance processes for Nigerian citizens.”
The government reaffirmed its resolve to maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s travel documents while advancing efforts to meet international standards in passport security and verification.