Nigerian Passport Rises To 88th Globally In Latest Ranking

The Nigerian passport has climbed to 88th place in the latest Henley Passport Index, marking its highest position in five years. The 2025 ranking, released on July 18, shows Nigeria tied with Ethiopia and Myanmar.

According to the index, Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries either visa-free or with a visa on arrival. While this represents a modest improvement from earlier rankings—such as 91st earlier this year and 97th in 2023—it still places Nigeria among the lowest-ranked passports globally in terms of travel freedom.

Nigeria’s passport strength has declined significantly over the past two decades. It ranked as high as 62nd in 2006 but dropped to a low of 103rd in 2021. The recent upward movement reflects gradual progress but still leaves Nigeria behind several African nations.

Within the continent, countries like South Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, Ghana, and Senegal offer their citizens greater travel access and hold stronger positions in the global index. Meanwhile, Nigeria ranks above only a few African countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia.

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations holders can access without needing a visa in advance. The 2025 report again highlights the wide disparity in global mobility, with countries like Japan, Singapore, and France leading the list.