For once, some passport news that doesn’t involve jollof rice-smuggling tales at airport customs. Nigeria’s green passport — often the subject of memes and side-eyes at international borders — has just received a rare upgrade in global status.
According to the latest Henley Passport Index released on July 18, Nigeria has climbed to the 88th position out of 199 countries. That’s its highest ranking in five years, a small but symbolic leap for the continent’s most populous country. To put it plainly, this means holders of the Nigerian passport can now travel to 45 countries either visa-free or by getting a visa on arrival.
Before you start googling “cheapest flights to Fiji,” let’s be honest: 45 countries might sound like plenty, but it’s not quite the golden ticket. For context, Singaporeans can waltz into 193 countries without much paperwork. Nigerians? We still have to explain ourselves at many embassy doors.
Still, this new ranking — shared with Ethiopia and Myanmar — marks progress. In 2021, Nigeria hit rock bottom at 103rd place. Since then, it has slowly clawed its way back up the ladder. In 2022, we sat at 98th; by mid-2023, we made it to 90th, only to slip to 97th a few months later. But this July 2025 edition has brought back a glimmer of optimism.
Let’s not get carried away, though. Nigeria’s passport is still among the lowest-ranked in Africa, only performing better than the passports of six other African nations: Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia. So, for most Nigerians, “travel freedom” still involves lots of paperwork, embassy queues, and prayers to Saint Visa.
Compare that to Seychelles, which holds the top spot in Africa and is 24th globally. A Seychellois passport can open the gates to 156 countries — nearly four times what the Nigerian one can do. That’s not just travel freedom; that’s VIP access.
Globally, Singapore remains the king of passports, with the power to unlock 193 countries, no visa fuss. At the very bottom, Afghanistan’s passport is still the weakest, granting access to just 25 destinations — barely enough to cover Africa’s West Coast.
Meanwhile, the United States, which once topped the charts in 2014, has now dropped to the 10th position. It seems even superpowers can lose passport prestige in today’s ever-changing world.
So, What’s Behind Nigeria’s Rise?
Experts say the improved ranking could be due to better diplomatic engagements and regional partnerships. A few more countries have relaxed visa requirements for Nigerians — though most of them are fellow African or Caribbean nations.
But the real test lies in what the passport can do beyond the ranking. For many Nigerians, it’s not just about visa access — it’s about how you’re treated at borders, how many bags they “randomly” check, and how long you stand in that “Other Nationalities” line.
So yes, Nigeria’s passport has climbed a few rungs. But until we’re breezing through European airports without a six-month visa wait, let’s hold the champagne (or palm wine).
Still, progress is progress — and for Nigeria, every upward step matters.
As one Lagos-based travel blogger joked on X (formerly Twitter), “From 103rd to 88th? Small small, we go reach where dem dey stamp passport with smile.”
Amen to that.
