Nigerian passport climbs global ranking but loses visa-free access

The Nigerian passport has climbed six places in the global ranking since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023, rising from 95th position in January 2024 to 89th in the latest April 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index.

However, the number of countries Nigerian passport holders can visit without a prior visa has dropped from 46 in January 2025 to 44 as of April 2026, despite the improved global ranking.

Several African nations have moved Nigeria into the “visa required” category in recent years. Ethiopia, which scrapped visa-on-arrival for Nigerian citizens in October 2022, now requires travellers to obtain visas from its embassy in Abuja before departure. Zambia now mandates visas for all West African passport holders, while Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Somalia have also introduced prior-visa requirements for Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Nigeria gained visa-free access to nine new destinations between 2025 and 2026, including Fiji, Micronesia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Togo, Samoa, Palau Islands, Niue and Montserrat. These Pacific island nations operate open-door policies broadly applicable to developing countries.

Within West Africa, Nigeria ranks near the bottom of the 2026 index. Ghana holds 67th position globally with 67 visa-free destinations, while The Gambia ranks 66th with 68 destinations. Senegal, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau all rank above Nigeria.

Across the continent, South Africa maintains the strongest passport at 46th globally, with visa-free access to 100 destinations. Botswana follows at 56th with 81 destinations, ahead of Namibia with 74, Morocco with 71, Kenya with 69, and Ghana with 67.

Globally, Singapore holds the world’s most powerful passport with a visa-free score of 192, followed jointly by Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates at 187. Afghanistan ranks last, with its citizens able to access only 23 destinations without a prior visa.

A broader historical view shows the Nigerian passport has fallen 27 places over two decades, from 62nd in 2006 to 89th in 2026.

The Nigeria Immigration Service has stated that its primary focus remains deepening passport technology to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation standards, noting that visa-free mobility largely reflects bilateral agreements rather than the technical strength of a passport.