The Nigerian passport has recorded a significant improvement in global travel rankings, climbing to 88th position in the 2024 Henley Passport Index its highest placement since 2020.

According to the latest data released by Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, Nigerian passport holders can now access 45 destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, marking a notable rise in global mobility compared to recent years.

This progress comes amid increased efforts by the Nigerian government to enhance diplomatic ties, streamline passport processing, and negotiate better bilateral travel agreements across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

Experts say the new ranking reflects Nigeria’s growing international influence and the push by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to restore confidence in the travel document.

“This is a positive shift,” said Dr. Adaeze Nwankwo, an international relations analyst. “It shows that Nigeria is gradually rebuilding global trust, and it’s also an incentive for the government to continue strengthening consular and diplomatic engagements.”

The improvement also aligns with broader regional trends, as several African countries, including Ghana and Kenya, have also seen modest gains in passport strength following strategic regional collaborations and e-passport innovations.

While the Nigerian passport still lags behind those of global powerhouses like Japan, Singapore, and Germany—whose citizens can visit over 190 countries visa-free the current upward trend is being viewed as a step toward reestablishing Nigeria’s international travel relevance.

Citizens and frequent travelers have expressed hope that the government will continue to tackle challenges such as delays in passport issuance and corruption at processing centers to ensure that the travel experience for Nigerians continues to improve.