Nigeria’s passport has been ranked 89th out of 199 countries in the 2026 Henley Passport Index.
The index is updated yearly using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), alongside expert analysis of global changes in passport strength.
In July last year, Nigeria’s passport climbed to 88th place, its highest position in five years. However, it later dropped to 94th as the year progressed.
Henley & Partners, the travel consultancy behind the ranking, relies on IATA data to compile the index.
The latest edition, released in January, places Nigeria jointly at 89th position with Myanmar, with a visa free score of 44.
The visa free score represents the number of destinations a passport holder can enter without a visa, including countries that offer visa on arrival, visitor permits, or electronic travel authorisations.
Within Africa, Nigeria ranks above only a few countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Libya, and Eritrea, making it the seventh least powerful passport on the continent.
Seychelles remains Africa’s strongest passport, followed by Mauritius and South Africa.
Globally, Singapore holds the top position with access to 192 destinations, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index with access to 24 countries.
