Nigeria’s passport has moved up to 88th place on the Henley Passport Index in the July 2025 update, gaining three spots from its previous position and marking a steady rise from 97th in late 2023.

Despite the improvement, the travel freedom it offers remains restricted. Nigerian passport holders can access only 45 countries visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival, the same as last year.

The index, compiled by London-based Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), measures the number of destinations citizens can enter without a prior visa. It is updated quarterly and ranks 199 passports worldwide.

Nigeria now shares the 88th position with Ethiopia and Myanmar. Within Africa, its passport strength is ahead of only six countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia.

Although the ranking has improved gradually – from 103rd in 2021 to 98th in 2022 and 90th in mid-2023 – the Nigerian passport remains in the lower tier globally and on the continent.

Analysts say the country’s limited international mobility reflects the need for stronger bilateral visa agreements and more robust diplomatic engagement.

While several African nations have expanded their citizens’ travel freedom in recent years, Nigerian travellers continue to face more restrictions compared to many of their regional counterparts.