Nigeria's passport has seen a modest rise in global mobility rankings, climbing to the 88th position on the Henley Passport Index in the July 2025 update.

This is a step up from 91st earlier in the year and a notable improvement from 97th in late 2023.

Slow progress despite gains

However, the actual travel freedom it provides remains limited, with Nigerians able to access only 45 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, unchanged from the previous year.

The index, compiled by London-based Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranks 199 countries based on the number of destinations their citizens can access without a prior visa.

The index is updated quarterly and is regarded as one of the most authoritative measures of global passport strength.

Although Nigeria's passport ranking is improving gradually, having moved from 103rd in 2021 to 98th in 2022, and 90th in mid-2023, the country remains in the lower tier globally and continentally.

Africa’s strongest passports

Nigeria currently shares the 88th position with Ethiopia and Myanmar.

In Africa, the Nigerian passport is stronger than in just six countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia.

This positioning is almost identical to previous years, reflecting limited progress in terms of international mobility for Nigerian passport holders.

While Nigeria struggles to gain ground, several African countries continue to outperform in global mobility.

The strongest African passports

Seychelles – Access to 156 destinations (Rank 24)
Mauritius – Access to 150 destinations (Rank 30)
South Africa – Access to 108 destinations (Rank 53)
Botswana – Access to 91 destinations (Rank 59)
Namibia – Access to 80 destinations (Rank 65)
Lesotho – Access to 79 destinations (Rank 66)
eSwatini – Access to 77 destinations (Rank 67)
Malawi – Access to 74 destinations (Rank 69)
Kenya – Access to 74 destinations (Rank 69)
Gambia – Access to 71 destinations (Rank 72)

World's strongest passports in 2025

On the global scale, Singapore retains its lead, offering its citizens access to a record 193 destinations visa-free.

Here are the top 10 passports globally

Singapore – 193 destinations
France – 193
Germany – 193
Italy – 193
Japan – 193
Spain – 192
South Korea – 192
Finland – 192
Sweden – 192
United States – 190

At the bottom of the list is Afghanistan, with its passport granting access to only 25 destinations.

Outlook

While the Nigerian passport has shown some improvement in rankings, its holders still face severe travel limitations.

Experts suggest that improving bilateral visa agreements and boosting diplomatic influence could improve the country’s passport power over time.

For now, however, Nigerian travellers must navigate more hurdles than most of their African peers.