Nigeria’s passport has been ranked 181st out of 196 countries in the latest IziVisa Passport Ranking Index, which assesses passports by the travel access their holders have, including visa-free entry, visas on arrival and electronic visas. Nigeria had previously been ranked 90th globally by the same index in July 2026.
According to data published by IziVisa, Nigerian passport holders can enter 24 destinations without a visa, get a visa on arrival in 16 countries and use an electronic visa, or eVisa, to reach another 43.
The three are not equal. Visa-free travel needs no permit, a visa on arrival is issued at the border, and an eVisa must be applied for and approved online before the traveller leaves home.
Countries at the forefront include Luxembourg, Malta, Denmark, Spain and Finland, with United Arab Emirates leading, with its passport opening 185 of 198 destinations, with visa-free entry, visas on arrival and eVisas are all included. Switzerland is also near the top, with 120 destinations needing no visa, 26 offering visas on arrival and 37 needing an eVisa.
The Henley Passport Index, another widely followed ranking, does not quite correlate with IziVisa’s report as it places Nigeria 90th out of 199 passports in July 2026, with access to 44 destinations without a visa in advance. Its October 2026 edition, released earlier this month, put Nigeria at 92nd, with access to 45 destinations, according to reports of that ranking.
This may be due to the two rankings considering different parameters. Henley counts visa-free entry, visas on arrival and some online travel permits, but leaves out standard eVisas, which need approval before travel. IziVisa reports eVisas separately.
Henley says its index covers 199 passports and 227 destinations, using data from the International Air Transport Association.
Limited access often means Nigerians pay more in fees, submit more documents and wait longer before they can travel, whether for work, studies, holidays or visiting relatives. Where a country lands depends on its diplomatic ties, visa deals with other nations, security worries and how strictly destination countries control entry.
