The Nigerian passport has climbed six places on the Henley Passport Index since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, moving from 95th in January 2024 to 89th in the April 2026 edition.
Despite the improved ranking, the number of countries Nigerian passport holders can visit without a visa has declined. Latest data shows visa-free access now stands at 44 destinations, down from 46 in January 2025 and 45 in January 2024.
The figures suggest that Nigeria’s rise in ranking does not necessarily reflect stronger travel access, as several countries previously ranked below it have dropped further down the index.
The Henley Passport Index, which ranks 199 passports using data from the International Air Transport Association, also highlights a long-term decline, with Nigeria falling from 62nd position in 2006 to 89th in 2026.
A breakdown of recent changes shows a mixed trend. Nigeria gained access to nine new destinations including Fiji, Micronesia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Togo, Samoa, Palau, Niue and Montserrat. However, it lost access to several countries that have introduced stricter visa requirements.
Ethiopia is among the most notable, having scrapped visa-on-arrival for Nigerians in October 2022, now requiring travellers to obtain visas before departure.
Other countries including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe and Somalia have also moved Nigerians into prior visa categories. These changes, largely administrative, were reflected in the updated 2026 destination list.
Within West Africa, Nigeria ranks near the bottom in passport strength. Ghana is ranked 67th globally with access to 67 destinations, while The Gambia ranks 66th with 68 destinations. Senegal, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire also rank higher, alongside Guinea-Bissau.
Across Africa, South Africa remains the strongest passport, ranked 46th globally with access to 100 destinations. Botswana, Namibia, Morocco, Kenya and Ghana also rank ahead of Nigeria.
Globally, Singapore holds the top position with access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea at 187. Several European countries including Sweden, Germany, France and Spain also rank among the strongest passports.
At the lower end, Afghanistan remains the weakest passport with access to just 23 destinations, followed by Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and Yemen.
Commenting on the trend, Charles Onunaiju of the Centre for China Studies in Abuja linked the decline in visa-free access to domestic challenges.
“We have a challenge. Since Nigeria is becoming inhospitable, especially for young people with limited opportunities, there is desperation to travel abroad. Many countries now impose stricter conditions on Nigerians,” he said.
An official of the Nigeria Immigration Service noted that visa-free access is largely determined by bilateral agreements and reciprocity between countries rather than passport design alone.
The official added that efforts are ongoing to improve passport technology in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards to meet global requirements.
