Nigeria’s Global Passport Ranking Plunges To 181st

Nigeria’s passport has dropped to 181st position in the latest global ranking, making it one of the weakest in the world.

According to the IziVisa Passport Ranking Index released in October 2026, Nigerian passport holders can only access 24 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance.

The ranking assessed 196 countries and places Nigeria among the least mobile passports globally.

The report marks a sharp decline from July 2026, when Nigeria was ranked 90th with visa-free access to 44 destinations.

Beyond visa-free entry, the report said Nigerian travellers can obtain visa on arrival in 16 countries and access 43 other destinations through electronic visas.

The data also shows Nigeria ranked 47th out of 54 African countries, with a total mobility score of 40 destinations accessible without a prior visa.

Seychelles emerged as Africa’s strongest passport, offering access to 124 destinations, followed by Mauritius with 114 and South Africa with 88.

Ghana ranked 16th in Africa with access to 56 destinations.

The IziVisa index assesses passports based on short-stay tourist entry requirements including visa-free entry, visa on arrival and electronic visa arrangements.

The United Arab Emirates tops the global list with access to 185 destinations.

The decline highlights the limited international mobility facing Nigerian travellers for business, education and tourism compared to other countries.