The Nigerian passport has improved its standing in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, climbing to 89th place out of 199 countries, and now shares the spot with Myanmar.
The annual index, based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and expert analysis, measures the travel freedom afforded by passports worldwide.
Last year, Nigeria reached its highest ranking in five years at 88th, before slipping to 94th by year-end. The current visa-free score for Nigeria is 44, reflecting the total number of countries Nigerian passport holders can enter without a visa, or where a visa on arrival, visitor’s permit, or electronic travel authority (ETA) applies.
In Africa, the Nigerian passport remains the seventh least powerful, ranking above only the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Libya, and Eritrea. Seychelles continues to hold the title of Africa’s strongest passport, followed by Mauritius and South Africa.
Globally, Singapore retains the top position, offering access to 192 countries, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom with access to just 24 countries.