The Henley Passport Index has placed the Nigerian passport 92nd globally, granting holders access to 45 destinations without a prior visa, according to the supplied ranking data. This position places Nigeria above 20 countries and territories, including Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Lebanon, and Pakistan.
Nigeria's Position in the 2026 Henley Passport Index
The index measures international travel access and does not assess eligibility for work visas, student visas, or permanent residency. Nigeria shares the 92nd position with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, and Laos, all of which also have access to 45 destinations.
Data from the supplied ranking shows Nigeria improved from 94th place in October 2025 to 92nd in October 2026. The number of accessible destinations also rose from 44 to 45, indicating a modest expansion in travel access.
Countries Ranked Below Nigeria
The Nigerian passport ranks above the following countries and territories, according to the supplied list:
- Turkmenistan – 93rd, 44 destinations
- Myanmar – 94th, 43 destinations
- Ethiopia – 95th, 41 destinations
- Lebanon – 95th, 41 destinations
- South Sudan – 95th, 41 destinations
- Sudan – 95th, 41 destinations
- Libya – 96th, 39 destinations
- Eritrea – 97th, 38 destinations
- Sri Lanka – 97th, 38 destinations
- Iran – 98th, 37 destinations
- Palestinian Territory – 98th, 37 destinations
- Bangladesh – 99th, 35 destinations
- North Korea – 99th, 35 destinations
- Nepal – 100th, 34 destinations
- Somalia – 101st, 32 destinations
- Yemen – 102nd, 30 destinations
- Pakistan – 103rd, 29 destinations
- Iraq – 104th, 28 destinations
- Syria – 105th, 25 destinations
- Afghanistan – 106th, 22 destinations
The data confirms Nigeria ranks above 20 countries and territories in the supplied list, not 14 as initially stated.
Top and Bottom of the Global Ranking
Singapore leads the index with access to 193 destinations. Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates share second place with 188 destinations each. Sweden ranks third with 187 destinations, while France, Germany, Italy, and Spain share fourth place with 186 destinations each.
Afghanistan occupies the bottom position at 106th place, with access to only 22 destinations. The ranking compares passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a traditional visa before travelling, though entry requirements can vary by destination.
Implications for Nigerian Travellers
Nigeria's improved ranking in the 2026 Henley Passport Index suggests a modest gain in its relative position among world passports. The increase from 44 to 45 accessible destinations points to a slight expansion in travel access, based on the figures provided.
Travellers should note that entry requirements differ by destination. Some countries may offer visas on arrival or require electronic travel authorisations, while others may impose conditions on passport validity, supporting documents, and length of stay.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that citizens of four countries can enter the United States without a visa, though conditions governing travel and stay duration differ. According to the US Department of State, Canadian citizens generally do not need non-immigrant visas for tourism and certain temporary visits, and can usually stay for up to six months depending on the admission decision by US authorities.
