Nigeria Ranks 94th In Latest Henley Passport Index: Limited Global Mobility With Access To 46 Destinations

The latest Henley Passport Index places Nigeria’s passport at 94th out of 199 countries, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerians in global mobility. Released yesterday, the ranking shows that Nigerian passport holders can access just 46 destinations worldwide without a visa.

Global mobility, often seen as a measure of a nation’s soft power, remains restricted for Nigerians. This low ranking reflects limited visa-free travel opportunities and continues to hinder the travel aspirations of many citizens. Nigeria shares its position with countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Ethiopia, which also grant their citizens access to 46 destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival.

The Henley Passport Index, considered the gold standard for ranking global passports, is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ research. It evaluates 199 countries based on the number of destinations their passport holders can visit without obtaining a prior visa.

The Henley Passport Power (HPP) score incorporates economic weight by considering the percentage of global GDP accessible to passport holders, using a maximum of 227 possible destinations.

While Nigeria struggles with restricted mobility, Singapore ranks as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations. It is followed by Japan (193 destinations) and European nations like France, Germany, Finland, Spain, and Italy, alongside South Korea, which jointly hold the third position with 192 destinations.

The report also highlights disparities in global mobility, with nations such as the United Arab Emirates climbing the ranks through proactive diplomatic engagements.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, emphasized the need for nations like Nigeria to address the “birthright lottery” of citizenship. He called for innovative solutions to leverage the untapped potential of displaced people and migrants, transforming them into contributors to society amid growing challenges such as climate change and political instability.

“The gap between powerful and weak passports is widening, and countries like Nigeria must address this issue to enhance their citizens’ travel opportunities,” the report urged.

As Nigeria navigates these challenges, it remains crucial for policymakers to prioritize diplomatic and economic strategies to improve global mobility for its citizens.