NIGERIA’S PASSPORT RANKING IMPROVES SLIGHTLY BUT TRAVEL ACCESS REMAINS LIMITED
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Nigeria’s global passport ranking has seen a slight improvement, yet its citizens still face significant travel restrictions.
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According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, Nigeria now ranks 91st worldwide, sharing the position with Ethiopia and Myanmar—two nations grappling with internal conflicts.
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Despite the small progress, Nigerian passport holders still have visa-free access to only 45 countries, the same as last year.
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NIGERIAN PASSPORT AMONG THE LEAST POWERFUL IN AFRICA
Within Africa, Nigeria’s passport ranks among the least powerful, standing above only six countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia. This marks a slight slip from 2024 when it was the sixth least desirable passport on the continent.
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FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER CLAIMS PROGRESS IN REDEEMING NIGERIA’S IMAGE
The ranking comes as Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, insists that the country has made strides in redeeming its global image.
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He highlighted efforts such as negotiating the release of Nigerians wrongfully imprisoned abroad.
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However, while he emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to ethical diplomacy and fostering better international relations, he did not elaborate on specific strategies to enhance travel access for citizens.
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FLUCTUATING RANKINGS HIGHLIGHT VISA POLICY CHALLENGES
Nigeria’s passport ranking has been on a rollercoaster over the past few years. In July 2023, it held the 90th spot before dropping to 97th, below countries like Burundi, Cameroon, and Liberia.
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However, it made a slight comeback in 2024, climbing to 92nd place before its latest shift to 91st.
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SEYCHELLES LEADS AFRICA, SINGAPORE REMAINS ON TOP
Meanwhile, Seychelles continues to dominate as Africa’s most powerful passport, improving its global rank to 22nd with visa-free access to 156 countries.
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At the top of the global list, Singapore remains the most powerful passport, granting entry to 193 countries, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom with access to just 25.
