Nigeria has integrated its electronic passport system into the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD), a move expected to speed up border clearance and improve the global recognition of Nigerian e-passports.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the milestone enables Nigerian e-passports to be seamlessly authenticated at border control points in countries that are members of the ICAO PKD.
According to the NIS, the breakthrough followed the successful upload of all of Nigeria’s Country Signing Certificate Authorities (CSCAs) into the ICAO Public Key Directory during a ceremony held on July 13 at ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
The exercise was led by the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap.
The Service said the integration resolves the passive authentication challenges previously experienced by some Nigerian travellers at foreign airports. “With the successful import of all Nigeria’s existing CSCAs into the ICAO Public Key Directory, Nigerian e-passports can now be verified seamlessly by border control systems in all ICAO PKD member states,” the statement said.
The NIS described the development as a major step in strengthening the security and global acceptance of Nigerian travel documents.
It said the initiative reflects the agency’s continued investment in digital identity management and international border security cooperation in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the Service, the upgrade will enhance the integrity of Nigerian e-passports, improve interoperability with global border systems, and facilitate smoother international travel for passport holders.
The ICAO Public Key Directory is a secure global platform that allows participating countries to exchange the digital certificates used to verify the authenticity of electronic passports.
Rather than relying on bilateral agreements, member states upload their passport verification data to a central system, enabling immigration authorities worldwide to authenticate e-passports quickly and securely.
With more than 100 countries participating in the ICAO PKD, Nigeria’s inclusion means border officials across member states can now instantly verify the authenticity of Nigerian e-passports, reducing delays, strengthening border security, and improving the travel experience for Nigerian citizens.
