Despite the upward movement in rank, the number of countries Nigerians can access visa-free or with visa-on-arrival remains unchanged at 45 — the same count that placed the passport in 92nd position last year. Nigeria now shares the 88th spot with Ethiopia and Myanmar, indicating marginal progress in global mobility but limited real-world benefits.
The Henley Passport Index, updated quarterly, evaluates passport power based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), supplemented by in-house research. It ranks passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without prior visa approval.
Regional Context: Africa Still a Challenge
Within Africa, Nigeria’s passport remains in the bottom tier, ahead of only six nations: Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia. This mirrors last year’s trend and underscores ongoing barriers to travel for many African nationals.
At its lowest point in 2021, the Nigerian passport ranked 103rd globally. Since then, it has made slow but steady gains — 98th in 2022, 90th in July 2023, and now 88th.
Global Highlights: Wide Gaps Persist
At the top of the global list, Singapore retained the number-one position, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations. At the bottom, Afghanistan continues to hold the weakest passport globally, with access to just 25 countries.
Seychelles remains the strongest African passport, allowing travel to 156 destinations, although it slipped two spots globally — from 22nd to 24th.
Meanwhile, the United States, which once led the ranking in 2014, now occupies the 10th spot, reflecting a general trend of reduced mobility among Western passports in recent years.
Outlook
While the improved ranking offers a symbolic boost, the lack of increased visa-free access means Nigerians still face significant travel restrictions. The passport’s trajectory shows gradual progress, but substantial policy changes and international partnerships would be required to improve mobility in more meaningful ways.