The 2026 Henley Passport Index, released in July by Henley & Partners, places Nigeria at 90th globally with a visa-free score of 44—meaning Nigerian passport holders can enter 44 destinations without a pre-arranged visa. This marks a one-rank decline from 89th in the April 2026 edition, though the number of accessible countries remains unchanged.
How Nigeria Compares Over Time
According to The Nation, Nigeria's ranking has fluctuated in recent years. The country climbed from 94th in 2025 to 89th in April 2026, before slipping back to 90th in July. Over a longer horizon, the improvement is notable: Nigeria was 103rd in 2021. The Henley Index, which analyzes 199 passports using IATA data, assigns scores based on visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and e-visa access.
“The index reflects real-world travel freedom,” a Henley & Partners spokesperson stated. “A one-rank shift is minor, but it underscores the competitive nature of global passport mobility.”
Complete List of 44 Countries Nigerian Passport Holders Can Visit
The 44 destinations span three continents: Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean/Pacific. African nations include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Togo. Others are Burundi, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, and Madagascar. Caribbean and Pacific destinations feature Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Micronesia, Niue, Palau Islands, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Additional Asian entries include Cambodia, Iran, Lebanon, and Maldives.
Entry Conditions Vary by Country
While all 44 destinations do not require a pre-arranged visa, entry rules differ. For instance, Barbados, Benin, and Ghana offer full visa-free access upon arrival. Others such as Burundi, Cambodia, Madagascar, Maldives, Palau Islands, Samoa, and Timor-Leste issue visas on arrival. Some countries, like Kenya and Seychelles, require an electronic travel authorization or e-visa applied for before travel.
Nigerian travellers are strongly advised to verify specific entry requirements with each destination's embassy or immigration authority before departure. The Henley Index score counts all types of facilitated access, but conditions can change without notice.
US Dual Citizenship Update
In a related development, the United States government now mandates that dual nationals, including children, enter and exit the US using a valid US passport. Dual citizens who use a foreign passport to apply for an ESTA may have their authorization denied or revoked by the Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, US citizens residing abroad should check that their passport is valid for at least six months before travel. This policy underscores the importance of maintaining proper documentation for international mobility.
