Nigerian passport rises in global ranking, loses visa-free access

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 latest April 2026 ranking.

 

However, despite the improved position, the number of countries Nigerians can visit without a visa has declined.

 

According to the April 2026 edition of the index, Nigerian passport holders now have access to 44 visa-free destinations, down from 46 in January 2025 and 45 in January 2024.

 

Data from successive editions of the ranking indicate that while Nigeria’s global position improved, the actual strength of the passport weakened, with fewer countries granting visa-free entry.

 

Analysts attribute the upward movement in ranking partly to declines by other countries rather than significant gains by Nigeria.

 

A breakdown of the data shows that Nigeria gained access to nine destinations between 2025 and 2026, including Fiji, Micronesia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Togo, Samoa, Palau, Niue and Montserrat. However, it lost access to at least seven countries, resulting in a net drop.

 

Countries such as Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Somalia have recently moved Nigerians into the “visa required” category.

 

Ethiopia, once a key African destination for Nigerian travellers, scrapped visa-on-arrival for Nigerians in October 2022, requiring prior embassy approval. Zambia and Zimbabwe have also tightened entry requirements, while others have implemented similar administrative changes.

 

None of the affected countries cited formal diplomatic disputes with Nigeria, suggesting the changes were policy-driven rather than politically motivated.

 

Within West Africa, Nigeria ranks behind several countries in passport strength. Ghana is ranked 67th globally with access to 67 destinations, while The Gambia ranks 66th with 68 visa-free destinations. Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso also rank higher, each offering broader travel access for their citizens.

 

Across Africa, South Africa maintains the continent’s strongest passport at 46th globally, with access to 100 destinations. Botswana, Namibia, Morocco, Kenya and Ghana also rank ahead of Nigeria.

 

Globally, Singapore retains the top spot with access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea with 187. Afghanistan remains the weakest, with access to just 23 destinations.

 

The Henley Passport Index, now in its 21st year, ranks 199 passports using data from the International Air Transport Association.

 

Commenting on the trend, Charles Onunaiju, Research Director at the Centre for China Studies in Abuja, linked declining visa-free access to Nigeria’s internal challenges.

 

“If we want the world to take us seriously, we must get our acts together at home,” he said, noting that rising migration pressures have led to stricter visa policies for Nigerians.

 

A former official of the Nigeria Immigration Service, who spoke anonymously, said visa-free access is largely determined by bilateral agreements and reciprocity between countries.

 

He added that the agency is focused on improving passport technology to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation standards, rather than rankings alone.