The Nigerian passport has made significant strides in the latest global passport ranking, climbing nine places in the Henley Passport Index for Q2 2023.
Previously ranked at 100th, the Nigerian passport now stands at 91st out of 199 countries and 227 travel destinations assessed by the index.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates the strength of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without requiring a prior visa.
This improved ranking indicates enhanced global access for Nigerian passport holders. However, the number of countries accessible without a visa or through visa-on-arrival programs remains at 46.
While this progress in ranking suggests improved passport strength, it is noted that some countries may have lost their earlier rating, contributing to Nigeria’s upward climb.
As of June 2022, Nigerian passport holders had visa-free access to 25 countries. However, this number increases to 45 destinations when considering visa-on-arrival or e-visa programs.
Despite the advancement, the Nigerian passport still ranks as the least powerful among the 15 countries in the Economic Community of West African States.
The latest rankings reflect positive strides for Nigerian passport holders, signifying increased opportunities for international travel.