In the latest Henley Passport Index for Q2 2023, the Nigerian passport has shown significant improvement, climbing from its previous ranking of 100th to a commendable 91st position.
The index, which evaluates passports from 199 countries and their access to 227 travel destinations, highlights Nigeria’s progress in terms of global mobility and travel freedom.
The Henley Passport Index is a global ranking that measures the strength and value of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without needing a visa or obtaining one upon arrival. The higher a passport’s ranking on the index, the greater the travel freedom and ease of access it provides to its citizens.
The latest ranking indicates improved global access for Nigerians. However, the number of countries accessible without visas or with visa-on-arrival remained at 46
According to findings, it is indicated that the new standing might not reflect real improvement in passport strength but a consequence of other countries losing their earlier rating.
As of June 2022, travelers with Nigerian passports can only traverse 25 countries visa-free.
However, that number rises to 45 destinations when visa-on-arrival or e-visa programmes are added.
Nonetheless, the Nigerian passport ranked as the least powerful amongst the 15 countries in the Economic Community of West African States.
The index showed The Gambia, leading the ECOWAS, ranked 72nd, Sierra Leone at 74th, Cabo Verde at 75th, Ghana at 76th, Benin at 78th, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast at 79th, Guinea at 80th, Senegal and Togo at 81st, Niger at 82nd, Mali and Guinea Bissau at 83rd, Liberia at 87th and Nigeria at 91st.
According to Anthony Akuneme, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, reacting to the development said that the potential for Nigerians to enjoy increased travel opportunities lies in establishing more beneficial bilateral agreements with other countries.
Such agreements could lead to improved visa arrangements, visa waivers, or visa-on-arrival policies for Nigerian passport holders.
By fostering stronger diplomatic ties and cooperation with various nations, Nigeria aims to enhance its citizens’ mobility and access to a wider range of international destinations.
This, in turn, could positively impact the ranking of the Nigerian passport on the Henley Passport Index, providing more travel freedom for Nigerian citizens.
Echoing the observations by Steffen, he said, “It is a function of reciprocity. If one country agrees that my citizens can come without needing a visa, I, too, will extend the same gesture to them.”
