Hassan SaheedThe latest Henley Passport Index ranks Nigeria’s passport 94th out of 199 countries, highlighting ongoing challenges with global mobility.
The latest Henley Passport Index ranks Nigeria’s passport 94th out of 199 countries, allowing visa-free access to only 46 destinations, on par with nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Ethiopia. This reflects Nigeria’s limited global mobility, which impacts its citizens’ travel aspirations and highlights the country’s soft power challenges.
The Henley Passport Index, based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ research, evaluates passports by the number of destinations accessible without prior visas. It also considers the share of global GDP available through visa-free travel.
In contrast, Singapore leads the rankings, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations, followed by Japan with 193.
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the passport index concept, called for a fundamental rethinking of citizenship as climate change, natural disasters, political instability, and armed conflicts continue to displace communities worldwide. He emphasised the urgency of establishing free global cities to empower displaced individuals and migrants, enabling them to rebuild their lives and shape their futures.
