Nigeria’s passport has been ranked 94th out of 199 countries in the latest Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to only 46 destinations worldwide.
This ranking highlights Nigeria’s ongoing challenges in global mobility and underscores limited travel opportunities for its citizens.
The Henley Passport Index, recognized as the authoritative measure of passport strength, evaluates countries based on the number of destinations their passport holders can visit without requiring a visa.
The index draws data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is further refined by Henley & Partners’ research team.
Nigeria shares its 94th position with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Ethiopia. This modest ranking places the country far behind global leaders like Singapore, which secured the top position with visa-free access to 195 destinations.
Japan follows closely with access to 193 destinations, while European countries such as Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, alongside South Korea, rank third with 192 destinations.
The index also revealed widening disparities in global mobility. Nations like the United Arab Emirates have climbed the rankings through strategic diplomatic efforts, while others, including Afghanistan, remain at the bottom, offering minimal travel freedom.
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, emphasized the urgent need for global reforms, noting that growing environmental challenges, political instability, and armed conflicts are displacing populations and restricting opportunities for mobility.
He proposed introducing “free global cities” to empower displaced individuals and migrants to become agents of change and innovation.
