Nigerian Passport Gets New Position in 2025 Ranking, Data Shows Places Citizens Can Enter Visa-Free

• Nigeria’s passport has achieved an improvement in its global ranking, moving from 92nd position in 2024 to 91st
• The information is according to a recent global passport ranking released by the Henley Passport Index for 2025
• However, Nigeria’s passport is ranked the least powerful in Africa, while Seychelles remains the country with the strongest passport in the continent

Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.

Nigeria’s passport is now ranked in 91st position on the Henley Passport Index, sharing the position with Ethiopia and Myanmar.

These countries are also ranked low on the global terrorism index, battling attacks from armed groups.

Nigeria’s passport is seventh least in Africa

The Henley Passport Index is updated monthly using information from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Nigeria’s passport ranked higher than a few African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Libya and Somalia.

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The development means Nigeria now has the seventh least powerful passport on the continent, from the sixth position in 2024.

The new ranking came amid a statement by the foreign affairs minister, Yusuf Tuggar, saying the government has improved the country's image overseas. He disclosed this on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at a press briefing.

Seychelles passport ranks strongest in Africa

Meanwhile, Seychelles passport remains the continent’s strongest, ranking 22nd globally.

It moved up two spots from the previous year, allowing holders to travel to 156 countries and destinations.

Singapore remained the world’s most powerful passport, with access to 193 countries, while Afghanistan has the worst passport globally with access to only 25 countries and destinations.

FG moves to improve Nigeria’s image abroad

According to the minister, the next stage is to lift Nigeria’s image, saying that the ministry helped to secure the release of Nigerians wrongly imprisoned in some countries.

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Punch reports that the minister could not explain how the government plans to achieve the goal but said Nigeria was working with other countries while following due processes in its foreign policy.

In July 2023, Nigeria’s passport was ranked 90th globally but slipped to 97th below African countries such as Burundi, Cameroon, and Liberia, showing a change in Nigeria’s visa policy.

However, the passport’s ranking improved last year, ranking 92nd globally.

This latest ranking means an improvement as the country’s passport moved one spot up from the last position.

Nigeria is exempted from US visa-free programme

In February, the US released the list of eligible countries for its visa-free policy, exempting Nigeria. Additionally, the list does not include any African country.

Also, the United Kingdom was excluded from the programme but remains eligible under specific conditions. 

While most of the VWP list remained unchanged, the addition of Romania marked a significant update. 

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The US has focused on enhancing security checks and prioritising countries with strong diplomatic ties and border security standards.

FG deploys moves to improve Nigeria's passport

Since taking office in 2023, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has taken several steps to make it easier for Nigerians at home and abroad to obtain their passports.

In September 2023, he announced that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had cleared a backlog of about 60,000 passport applications in just four days.

As part of efforts to prevent fraud, the government introduced a new passport template to stop non-citizens from illegally acquiring Nigerian passports.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo highlighted that passports are crucial identity documents that must be well-protected.

The updated process now requires applicants to provide a citizenship certificate, birth certificate, and National Identification Number (NIN) to confirm their Nigerian citizenship.

Earlier, the minister announced that from January 8, 2025, Nigerians would be able to apply for their passports without physical contact.

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Additionally, from June 2024, the NIS will begin home delivery of passports in four major cities: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Abuja.

The NIS also revealed that a new contactless passport renewal system will be launched in phases, starting in Canada on November 1, 2024, to reduce the need for people to visit NIS offices in person.

African countries exempting Nigeria from visa-free entry

Legit.ng earlier reported that two African countries, Seychelles and Ethiopia, have exempted Nigeria from their visa-free travel programs.

The visa-free program, which aims to promote tourism and enhance diplomatic relations, has been embraced by many countries across the continent including Kenya and Rwanda.

However, the exclusion of Nigeria, one of Africa's most populous and influential nations, has raised several questions.

The article was updated with additional information by the head of the business desk Victor Enengedi.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng