The Nigerian Federal Government has announced a significant upgrade to the Nigerian passport’s international standing through its integration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Public Key Directory (PKD) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
This development was shared by the Ministry of Interior in response to travel influencer Tayo Aina’s commentary on the Nigerian passport.
Aina had previously endorsed a St. Kitts passport, which led to criticism from the online community for undermining Nigeria’s passport.
Addressing the controversy, Aina retracted his statements, emphasizing the Nigerian passport’s newfound prestige and the access it grants as a symbol of global citizenship.
The Ministry of Interior highlighted that the integration with ICAO’s PKD and PKI would streamline travel, bolster security, and ensure quicker authentication at international borders.
Investigations confirmed Nigeria’s status as a member of the ICAO PKD, bringing benefits such as efficient ePassport validation, enhanced respect at border checkpoints, and a reduction in document falsification risks.
The move to join the PKD aligns with global efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime.
With 61 member states in the ICAO PKD, Nigeria’s proactive stance is set to facilitate smoother international travel for its citizens.
