Nigerian passport holders retain hassle-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 44 countries worldwide in 2026, according to the latest Henley Passport Index from Henley & Partners, released on July 21, 2026. The passport's visa-free score remains 44, meaning Nigerians can access these destinations without obtaining a traditional visa before departure.
Passport Ranking Slips Slightly
The Nigerian passport dropped from 89th place in April 2026 to 90th in the July 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index. Despite this slight decline, the number of accessible destinations stayed unchanged. The index, which ranks 199 passports based on travel freedom, uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a leading global travel information provider.
Gradual Improvement Over Time
Nigeria's passport has shown gradual progress compared to previous years. The country ranked 94th in 2025 and 103rd in 2021, reflecting improved global mobility over the past five years. The current visa-free score of 44 includes a mix of visa-free entry, visa on arrival, and e-visa options, depending on the destination's immigration rules.
Full List of 44 Destinations
The complete list of countries and territories Nigerian passport holders can visit without a pre-arrival visa includes:
- Barbados
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi (Visa on arrival)
- Cambodia (Visa on arrival)
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde Islands
- Chad
- Comoro Islands (Visa on arrival)
- Cook Islands
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Iran (Visa on arrival)
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Madagascar (Visa on arrival)
- Maldives (Visa on arrival)
- Mali
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Niger
- Niue (Visa on arrival)
- Palau Islands (Visa on arrival)
- Rwanda
- Samoa (Visa on arrival)
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- The Gambia
- Timor-Leste (Visa on arrival)
- Togo
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Entry Requirements Vary by Destination
While these 44 destinations do not require a traditional visa before travel, the entry process differs among them. Some countries, such as Seychelles, allow travellers to complete visa procedures upon arrival at customs. Others provide completely visa-free entry, while some issue visas on arrival after landing. A few destinations may require travellers to apply for an e-visa online before departure. Travellers are advised to check the latest immigration requirements, passport validity rules, and any health or entry conditions with the relevant embassy or immigration authority before booking a flight.
Popular Destinations for Nigerians
Popular destinations on the list include Ghana, Kenya, Barbados, Maldives, Rwanda, and Seychelles. Caribbean and Pacific nations like Barbados and Fiji offer visa-free entry, making tropical getaways significantly easier to plan without lengthy pre-departure paperwork. For many Nigerians looking for easier travel options, especially within Africa and island destinations, the latest list offers more opportunities to explore without the long wait and uncertainty that often accompanies visa applications.
