Nigeria has dropped one spot to 90th place in the latest Henley Passport Index.

Holders of the Nigerian passport can now visit 44 countries without a visa in advance. The ranking, released in July 2026, shows no change in the number of visa-free destinations compared to the previous list.

The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports based on how many places their holders can travel to without needing a prior visa. Singapore remains at the top with access to 192 destinations, while Japan follows closely.

At the bottom, Afghanistan is ranked last with only 22 visa-free options.

Among African countries, South Africa holds the strongest passport on the continent at 49th position with 101 destinations. Other notable African passports include Botswana, Ghana, and Morocco.

Nigeria shares the 90th spot with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Turkmenistan.

The slight decline comes after Nigeria had gained some positions earlier in the year. Experts say factors like diplomatic relations and security concerns continue to influence passport strength worldwide. Many Nigerians hope for improvements through better international partnerships and stronger passport management.

This ranking serves as a reminder of the importance of global mobility for citizens and the economy. The Federal Government may need to focus on enhancing diplomatic ties to boost the passport’s power in future lists.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper