Nigerian Passport Ranks 89th Globally in 2026 Henley Passport Index

The Nigerian passport has climbed to 89th place out of 199 countries in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, according to the latest report released in January.

The annual ranking, compiled by Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and expert analysis, assesses passport strength based on the number of destinations holders can access visa-free or with visa on arrival, visitor’s permits, or electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

Nigeria shares the 89th position with Myanmar, with both countries offering holders access to 44 destinations without the need for a traditional visa. The ranking reflects a year of fluctuations for Nigeria’s travel document, which reached a five-year high of 88th place in July 2025, before declining to 94th by year-end, and now rebounding slightly in the 2026 index.

Within Africa, Nigeria remains the seventh least powerful passport, ranking above only the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Libya, and Eritrea. At the top of the continent, Seychelles retained its position as Africa’s strongest passport, followed by Mauritius and South Africa.

On the global stage, Singapore continues to dominate the rankings as the world’s most powerful passport, granting access to 192 destinations, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 24 countries.

The Henley Passport Index remains a widely referenced benchmark for global mobility, highlighting persistent disparities in international travel access and underscoring how diplomacy, economic stability, and bilateral agreements shape citizens’ freedom of movement worldwide.