Nigerian Passport Climbs Global Ranking, Loses Visa-Free Access
The Nigerian passport has made significant progress in the latest Henley Passport Index, climbing six places to rank 89th globally. However, despite this improvement, the number of countries that Nigerian passport holders can visit without a visa has decreased.
According to the April 2026 edition of the index, Nigeria's visa-free destinations now stand at 44, down from 46 in January 2025. This decline is attributed to several countries, including Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mauritania, and São Tomé and Príncipe, which have moved Nigeria to the 'visa required' category in recent years.
## Changes in Visa Requirements
The changes in visa requirements for Nigerian passport holders are largely administrative and do not cite formal bilateral disputes with Nigeria. The Ethiopian government, for instance, scrapped visa-on-arrival for Nigerian citizens in October 2022, requiring Nigerians to obtain visas from the Ethiopian embassy in Abuja before traveling.
## Comparison with Other Countries
Nigeria's ranking is near the bottom among West African countries, with Ghana ranking 67th globally with a visa-free score of 67, 23 destinations more than Nigeria. The Gambia, a country with less than 2.5 million people, ranked 66th with 68 visa-free destinations. Senegal ranked 77th with 56 destinations, while South Africa maintained its lead as the strongest passport in Africa, with its holders able to travel to 100 destinations visa-free.
## Global Passport Ranking
Globally, Singapore holds the world's most powerful passport with a visa-free score of 192, edging ahead of Japan and South Korea, which share the second position at 187 alongside the United Arab Emirates. Sweden, with 186 destinations, is ranked third, while Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland jointly occupy fourth position with 185 visa-free destinations.
## Conclusion
The decline in visa-free access for Nigerian passport holders reflects the country's internal challenges and its relationships with other nations. To improve its passport strength, Nigeria must address its internal issues and work towards mutual understanding and reciprocity with other countries.