Nigeria Improves Passport Power, Rises to 89th in 2026 Henley Index

Nigeria Improves Passport Power, Rises to 89th in 2026 Henley Index

Nigeria has made a notable climb in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, rising to 89th position from its previous 103rd ranking, according to the latest global passport assessment released by Henley & Partners.

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, using data compiled from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The 2026 report evaluated 199 passports across 227 global travel destinations.

Despite the improvement, the Nigerian passport still allows access to just 44 countries without a visa, placing it among the 20 weakest passports globally and highlighting persistent mobility challenges for Nigerian travellers.

In comparison, several African countries outperformed Nigeria significantly. Seychelles, ranked 24th globally, offers its citizens visa-free access to 154 countries, while Mauritius placed 27th and South Africa ranked 48th, with access to 101 destinations without a visa.

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Other African nations also posted stronger performances. Namibia ranked 62nd, Morocco 65th, Malawi 66th, Kenya 68th, while Tanzania and Ghana shared the 69th position.

Globally, Singapore retained its place as the world’s most powerful passport, granting access to 192 destinations without a visa. Japan followed in second place with access to 188 countries, while Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland jointly ranked third, each offering entry to 186 destinations.

Among Western nations, the United Kingdom placed 7th, Canada 8th, and the United States ranked 10th on the index.

At the bottom of the ranking, Afghanistan emerged with the world’s weakest passport, ranking 101st, followed by Syria (100th), Iraq (99th), Yemen and Pakistan (98th), and Somalia (97th).

Although Nigeria’s improved ranking reflects gradual progress, analysts note that the country still faces significant diplomatic and policy hurdles in expanding global travel access for its citizens.

Nigeria Improves Passport Power, Rises to 89th in 2026 Henley Index