The Nigerian passport has been ranked 89th out of 199 globally in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, according to the latest report released in January.
The annual index, based on data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and expert analyses, measures passport strength by the number of destinations holders can access without a visa or with a visa on arrival, visitor’s permit, or electronic travel authority (ETA).
Nigeria shared the 89th position with Myanmar, both with a visa-free score of 44 destinations.
This follows a fluctuating year for the Nigerian passport, which reached its highest ranking in five years at 88th place last July, before slipping to 94th by the end of the year.
Within Africa, Nigeria remains the seventh least powerful passport, ranking above only Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Libya, and Eritrea.
The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners, remains a key benchmark for assessing the global mobility of citizens and reflects ongoing shifts in international travel access.
The Actual Propaganda
In 2025, Nigeria passport fluctuated between 88th and 94th position, and also in pre-Buhari era (around 2014), it was ranked around 79th
However, when APC took over in 2015, it dropped as low as 103rd
The actual propaganda is not in the ranking itself — the 89th position is real
It definitely moved slightly up in the rankings compared to recent years, but this is not a major leap.
The issue lies in how that ranking is being framed and sold to the public.
Calling Nigeria’s 89th global passport rank a “serious upgrade” creates a false impression of major progress, when the actual improvement is marginal.
Nigeria only moved slightly from recent positions in the high 80s and low 90s, and it still ranks lower than it did a decade ago.
Presenting this as a breakthrough exaggerates reality.
Travel freedom still remains limited, and the change reflects global visa policy shifts, not a dramatic diplomatic breakthrough.
The Reality of Everyday Nigerians
For most Nigerians, international travel remains difficult as Visa applications will be more costly and time-consuming
Also the rejection rates remain high, because travelers often face intense scrutiny at foreign borders
Travel freedom remains limited, and the change reflects global visa policy shifts, not a dramatic diplomatic breakthrough
A passport’s true strength lies not in its ranking, but in how easily its citizens can move across borders.
On this front, everyday experiences suggest little has fundamentally changed.
Conclusion
Overstating modest gains risks lowering expectations and avoiding deeper accountability.
A genuine passport upgrade would reflect broader improvements in governance, security, economic stability, and international trust — areas where sustained work is still required.
