Migration experts have charged the Federal Government to address Nigeria's declining passport strength, warning that it now carries serious economic and diplomatic consequences for investment, talent mobility, tourism, education, and international business confidence.
Strategic National Concern
Reacting to reports that Nigeria's visa-free access dropped from 46 to 44 destinations despite a slight improvement in the Henley Passport Index ranking, migration and global citizenship expert Dr. Nduneche Ezurike described the development as a strategic national concern that goes beyond travel. According to him, passport strength has become a modern indicator of institutional trust, diplomatic influence, and economic credibility.
“Passport power is the currency of the 21st century,” Ezurike stated. “Every time Nigeria moves from visa-on-arrival to visa-required access, it reflects declining international confidence in our security systems, identity management, and economic stability.”
Ezurike noted that the mobility gap increasingly limits entrepreneurs, students, and professionals from accessing global opportunities and weakens Nigeria's competitiveness.
Comparison with Neighbors
The disparity becomes more glaring when compared with smaller African countries. While Nigeria currently has access to only 44 destinations, Benin Republic enjoys access to about 65 countries, Ghana 67, The Gambia 68, Botswana 81, and Namibia 74. Experts argue that these countries achieved stronger mobility rankings through deliberate diplomacy, stronger identity systems, regional cooperation, and sustained international trust-building.
Rare Diplomatic Win
Meanwhile, Nigerian Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, recently highlighted what he described as a rare diplomatic win after Ethiopia restored visa-on-arrival access to Nigerians following engagements by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Omokri credited the development to effective diplomatic engagement by the current administration, noting that Ethiopian Airlines subsequently increased its flight frequency into Nigeria.
However, analysts insist that isolated wins do not address Nigeria’s broader mobility challenges. Henley researchers note that Nigeria has fallen about 27 places in passport strength rankings since 2006.
Call for Coordinated Strategy
Dr. Ezurike urged the Federal Government to adopt a coordinated long-term mobility strategy focused on restoring global trust. He recommended the establishment of a National Mobility Taskforce involving Immigration, Foreign Affairs, NIMC, and security agencies to aggressively pursue the restoration of lost visa-free destinations. He also advocated stronger reciprocal visa negotiations and the full integration of Nigeria’s National Identification Number infrastructure with global biometric verification systems.
“The world will only trust our passport when they trust our identity systems,” Ezurike said. “Countries that improved their rankings invested deliberately in digital governance, institutional credibility, diplomacy, and national reputation management. Passport strength is now part of economic strategy, not just immigration policy.”
Analysts warn that unless Nigeria adopts a more strategic mobility and diplomatic framework, the country risks falling further behind in a world where global access increasingly shapes economic relevance and international competitiveness.
