Nigerian passport devalued further, ranks among worst 20 to hold in the world

Nigerian passport holders have one headache to contend with apart from the hassles they go through to obtain the green document, as the number of countries they enter visa-free has reduced to just 44.

According to a recently released quarterly Henley Passport Index, Nigeria is ranked bottom among countries with one of the 20 worst passports to hold in 2023, with visa-free entry to just 44 nations.

Ethiopia issues stern warnings to Nigerian passport holders

Several countries have stopped issuing holders of Nigerian passports visas on arrival or e-visas.

In 2022, Ethiopia stopped giving visa-on-arrival to people with the Nigerian passport. Ethiopian Airlines said in a circular to passengers on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, that there will no longer be visas on arrival for Nigerians.

The airlines revealed that passengers are to obtain their visa at the Ethiopian embassy in Abuja before travelling.

The circular stated that passengers transiting overnight in the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, are exempted from the ban.

Nigerians seeking visas to South Africa have reduced following delays and denials experienced by applicants.

Nigerian passport has dropped 20 places since January

Legit.ng reported that the passport, which gained 10 places in the last quarterly ranking, lost the position again. In the report, the Henley Passport Index revealed that holders of the Nigerian passport can enter 10 countries visa-free.

The report showed that with a Nigerian passport, only 46 countries will allow entry without first applying for a visa.

In January this year, the Nigerian passport dropped 38 places in a global passport ranking in the last 17 years.

According to the Henley Passport Index report, between 2006 and 2022, Nigeria lost many spots as it grappled with internal woes.

The best passports in the world

The Henley Passport Index says that Singapore now has the world’s most powerful passport, beating Japan, which held the top spot for five years.

Germany, Italy, and Spain are ranked second and third, respectively, as Japan shares the third position with other countries.