For the first time in half a decade, Nigeria’s passport has improved in global mobility rankings, rising to 88th place out of 199 countries, according to the latest Henley Passport Index released on July 18.
The index, compiled with exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and expert global mobility research, reflects shifts in travel freedom and visa access across the world.
Nigeria now shares the 88th spot with Ethiopia and Myanmar, moving up from its previous position at 91st earlier this year. This marks a gradual but significant improvement from its 2023 rankings, where it fluctuated between 90th and 97th, and from 98th in 2022 after hitting a low of 103rd in 2021.
Despite the progress, the Nigerian passport still grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 45 countries, barely more than the 43 it offered last year.
Nigeria continues to lag behind most African countries in passport strength. It ranks just above six nations on the continent: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia.
Meanwhile, Seychelles retained its title as the most powerful African passport, with visa-free access to 156 countries. However, it fell to 24th position globally.
At the top of the global list, Singapore maintained its number one spot, offering access to 193 destinations worldwide. Afghanistan remains at the bottom, with visa-free access to only 25 countries.
