The Federal Government has strengthened the international authentication of Nigerian passports following the successful importation of all the country’s Country Signing Certificate Authorities (CSCA) into the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD).

The development was announced by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, at the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja.

The statement said the exercise was completed during a ceremony held on July 13, 2026, at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

According to the Service, the exercise was led by the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, and was aimed at addressing passive authentication challenges encountered by some Nigerian passport holders at selected foreign border control points.

The NIS explained that the successful importation of Nigeria’s existing CSCAs into the ICAO Public Key Directory establishes a trusted verification framework that enables border control systems in ICAO PKD member states to authenticate Nigerian passports seamlessly.

The Service noted that the milestone would enhance the credibility and global acceptance of Nigerian travel documents while improving the efficiency of border clearance processes for Nigerian travellers.

It added that the achievement reflects ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Interior, under the leadership of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to strengthen digital identity management and deepen international cooperation on border security.

The NIS said the development aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s travel documents through the adoption of global standards and technologies.

The Service further stated that the integration into the ICAO Public Key Directory would promote greater interoperability between Nigeria and other participating countries, enhancing confidence in the country’s passport system and facilitating smoother international travel for Nigerian citizens.