Nigerian Passport Shows Significant Improvement in Global Ranking

By Daniel Edu

The Nigerian passport has experienced a noteworthy ascent in the latest global passport ranking index, climbing nine places higher than its previous position. According to the Henley Passport Index for Q2 2023, the Nigerian passport now holds the 91st position out of 199 countries and 227 travel destinations surveyed.

This improvement indicates that the Nigerian passport provides its holders with greater global access, despite the number of countries accessible without visas or with visa-on-arrival remaining at 46.

Until June 2022, travelers holding Nigerian passports were allowed visa-free entry into only 25 countries. However, this number increased to 45 destinations when including visa-on-arrival or e-visa programs.

The rise in the passport’s ranking may not solely be due to the enhancement of its strength but could also be attributed to other nations experiencing a drop in their earlier rankings.

Despite the improvement, the Nigerian passport still holds the least powerful position among the 15 countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The Gambia’s passport leads the ECOWAS countries, securing the 72nd position in the latest ranking.

The Henley Passport Index indicates that Sierra Leone is at the 74th position, Cabo Verde at 75th, Ghana at 76th, Benin at 78th, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast at 79th, Guinea at 80th, and Senegal and Togo at 81st. Niger is at the 82nd position, while Mali and Guinea-Bissau are at 83rd. Liberia is ranked 87th, with Nigeria at 91st.

Dr. Juerg Steffen, the CEO of Henley & Partners, highlighted that fluctuations in ranking results are influenced by several factors, including reciprocity, economic and sociopolitical stability, and tourism.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Anthony Akuneme, emphasized that more beneficial bilateral agreements with other countries could open doors for Nigerians, leading to improved rankings.

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Odeb, stressed the importance of strengthening moral values and rigorously implementing regulations to improve the country’s global standing. Additionally, focusing on economic growth and curbing criminal activities abroad could contribute to the passport’s improvement in rankings.