....Nigeria’s Passport Now Ranked 88th Globally — Highest in Five Years
By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Nigeria’s international passport has risen to the 88th position in the latest global passport rankings, according to the July 2025 edition of the Henley Passport Index — marking the country’s highest ranking in five years.
The updated ranking shows that Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access. This development reflects a steady, though modest, improvement from previous years, where Nigeria ranked 97th in 2023 and 91st earlier in 2024.
Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, publishes the widely referenced index using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The ranking evaluates passports from 199 countries based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
READ ALSO:Why Oshoala Knows When to Step Aside
Nigeria is currently tied in 88th place with Ethiopia and Myanmar, according to the index.
While the nation’s travel freedom remains limited compared to global leaders, the recent improvement signals progress in diplomatic and administrative efforts. For instance, the top-ranked passports — belonging to France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Singapore — offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 194 destinations, nearly four times more than Nigeria’s.
Among the key figures credited with driving this progress is Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose recent reforms in passport processing and international cooperation have helped restore confidence in the country’s travel documents. His commitment to efficient service delivery, digital passport renewal systems, and international engagement has been applauded by analysts and stakeholders.
“The global improvement of Nigeria’s passport ranking is not accidental,” said a senior immigration officer who asked not to be named. “It reflects the behind-the-scenes efforts of the Interior Ministry to reposition our identity management and improve bilateral relations with other countries.”
This upward mobility also highlights ongoing efforts by Nigeria and several African nations to negotiate more favorable bilateral travel agreements. While modest, such gains are vital in a highly competitive global travel landscape.
Additionally, other global indexes such as the Arton Capital Passport Index place Nigeria slightly lower at 92nd, using different criteria that include eVisa and electronic travel authorization (eTA) access. However, the Henley Passport Index remains the most widely used reference in immigration and travel analysis.
Background on Passport Mobility
International passport rankings are considered indicators of a country’s global mobility, diplomatic strength, and international perception. A higher ranking typically signals strong foreign relations, economic stability, and mutual visa agreements.
While Nigeria’s ranking shows improvement, experts say broader efforts in diplomacy, security assurance, and consistent policy reform are still needed to further boost the nation’s mobility score.
READ ALSO:Sunday Igboho Storms Alaafin’s Palace in Surprise Visit
According to travel analysts, Nigerian citizens frequently face longer visa application procedures, additional documentation requirements, and scrutiny when traveling abroad — a trend many hope will shift as the country’s passport gains more international credibility.
Countries Nigerians Can Travel to Visa-Free or On Arrival (Sample)
As of mid-2025, Nigerian passport holders can travel without a visa or obtain one on arrival in countries such as:
Barbados
Gambia
Fiji
Rwanda
Dominica
Maldives (visa on arrival)
With this renewed momentum, authorities are encouraged to continue strengthening diplomatic ties and modernizing immigration services to ease travel restrictions, support Nigerian entrepreneurs abroad, and foster stronger global connections.
