The Federal Government has announced that Nigerian passports will now be more respected at international borders due to their integration into the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Interior on the X platform on Tuesday in response to a tweet by travel content creator Tayo Aina.
On Monday, Aina released a promotional video for a Saint Kitts passport, which he obtained for $150,000.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is a dual-island nation situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It’s known for cloud-shrouded mountains and beaches.
In the video, he expressed concerns about traveling with a Nigerian passport, which sparked backlash from Nigerians who criticized him for undermining Nigeria’s passport while promoting a less-known country’s passport.
In response to the criticism, Aina issued an apology, retracting his earlier statements.
He wrote, “I’m sorry, guys. I lied. With this passport, you’re not just a traveller; you’re a global citizen. It liberates you with visa-free access to over 149 countries, opening up a world of opportunities for you. Immigration officers around the globe respect it, and you will get VIP treatment once you present it at any airport worldwide. It’s priceless.”
The Ministry of Interior in it response to Aina’s tweet, said, “Nigerians will now enjoy a smoother and more secure travel experience as the Nigerian passport has been integrated into the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
“The ICAO PKD and PKI systems ensure that the data embedded in electronic passports, such as biometric information, can be verified against trusted sources. This means that Nigerian passports can now be authenticated more efficiently at international borders, reducing delays and enhancing security.”
Further checks confirmed Nigeria as one of the participants in the ICAO PKD member countries since April 2009
The benefits for member countries include a simple, fast, and cost-efficient way of validating ePassports, more efficient multilateral data exchange compared to bilateral diplomatic exchanges, enhanced respect for citizens at foreign border checkpoints, reduced possibility of document falsification, and easier border crossings for citizens with ePassports.
However, joining the PKD is seen as a proactive approach to combating international terrorism and organized crime.
Currently, the ICAO PKD has 61 member states worldwide, including 30 OSCE participating states and five OSCE Partners for Cooperation.
Nigerian Passports Will Gain More Respect At International Borders After ICAO PKD Integration—FG is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
