The Nigerian passport has been ranked among the 18 least powerful globally for 2025, according to the Henley Passport Index. The index, which evaluates passports based on visa-free access to destinations worldwide, places Nigeria at 183 out of 200 countries.
This ranking highlights a consistent trend over recent years, as the country’s passport struggles to offer competitive global mobility. The Henley Passport Index draws its data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), providing insights into passport strength and travel accessibility.
Singapore reclaimed the top position with visa-free access to 195 destinations, followed by Japan with 193. European nations such as Germany, Italy, and Spain dropped to third place, while the United States slipped to ninth, reflecting a decade-long decline in mobility strength.
At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan holds the least powerful passport, with a significant gap between it and Singapore, emphasizing the disparity in global mobility opportunities.
Christian Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, called for a rethinking of citizenship policies to address the challenges of displacement, climate change, and political instability. He emphasized the importance of creating global solutions that transform displaced individuals into contributors to society.
Meanwhile, analysts point to Africa’s limited passport power as a reflection of global inequality in travel accessibility. With just a few African countries making significant strides, the need for regional and global reforms remains critical.
The report underscores the growing divide in global mobility, with some nations enhancing their passport power while others face stagnation or decline. For Nigeria, improving passport strength may require broader diplomatic efforts and visa-free agreements with more countries.
