Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s passport has been ranked 94th out of 199 countries in the latest Henley Passport Index, granting its holders visa-free access to only 46 destinations worldwide. The ranking underscores persistent challenges in global mobility for Nigerians and reflects limited visa-free travel opportunities.
The Henley Passport Index, released yesterday, places Nigeria on par with nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Ethiopia, which also offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 46 destinations. The index, described as “the original, authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports,” is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and enhanced by research from Henley & Partners.
Global mobility is considered a vital measure of soft power, enabling citizens to travel and access opportunities abroad. Nigeria’s low ranking on the index has continued to hinder the travel aspirations of its citizens. The Henley Passport Power (HPP) score also factors in the percentage of global GDP accessible visa-free by passport holders, taking into account the total 227 possible destinations.
At the top of the rankings, Singapore holds the most powerful passport in the world, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations. Japan follows closely with 193 destinations, while France, Germany, Finland, Spain, Italy, and South Korea share the third position, granting access to 192 destinations.
In contrast, Afghanistan remains the world’s lowest-ranked passport, providing minimal travel freedom.
The report highlights widening disparities in global mobility, with some nations advancing through diplomatic engagement. For example, the United Arab Emirates has climbed the rankings significantly in recent years.
“The gap between powerful and weak passports is widening, and countries like Nigeria must address this issue to enhance their citizens’ travel opportunities,” the report stated.
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, emphasized the importance of rethinking global mobility in light of modern challenges. He remarked, “The very notion of citizenship and its birthright lottery needs a fundamental rethink as temperatures rise, natural disasters become more frequent and severe, displacing communities and rendering their environments uninhabitable.
“Simultaneously, political instability and armed conflicts in various regions force countless people to flee their homes in search of safety and refuge. The need to introduce free global cities to harness the untapped potential of displaced people and other migrants, transforming them from victims of circumstance into architects of their futures has never been more pressing or apparent.”
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