Nigerians seeking seamless global travel may face continued challenges, as the country’s passport ranks among the world’s weakest in 2025. According to the Henley Passport Index, Nigeria placed 183rd out of 200 countries, securing a spot among the bottom 18. The index evaluates passport strength based on visa-free access to destinations worldwide.
The report highlights a persistent trend, with the Nigerian passport consistently ranking low in global mobility. Comparatively, Singapore topped the index, offering visa-free access to 195 destinations, while Japan followed with 193.
Christian Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, emphasized the growing importance of global mobility. “As political instability and climate change displace millions, rethinking citizenship to unlock the potential of displaced communities has become crucial,” he said.
A Growing Mobility Divide
The 2025 rankings reveal a stark contrast in global travel freedom. Afghanistan remained at the bottom, with its citizens accessing just 27 destinations visa-free. Meanwhile, Singapore passport holders can travel to 169 more destinations without a visa, showcasing the largest mobility gap in the index’s 19-year history.
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European countries like France, Germany, and Italy slipped in rankings, tying with South Korea in third place with 192 visa-free destinations. The UAE, a standout performer, secured 10th place with 185 visa-free destinations, a 72-destination increase since 2015.
Africa’s Struggles and Global Trends
Nigeria’s struggles mirror broader challenges across Africa, where many nations lag behind in global mobility. While only 22 countries globally fell in rankings over the past decade, the U.S. witnessed a notable decline, dropping from 2nd to 9th place. This was attributed to rising isolationism, as noted by Annie Pforzheimer from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“America’s inward-looking policies, including tariffs and deportations, have undermined its global mobility,” Pforzheimer explained. “In contrast, China’s openness is reshaping global power dynamics.”
China, a rising star in global mobility, climbed from 94th place in 2015 to 60th in 2025, granting visa-free access to 58 nations. Meanwhile, the U.S. trails behind, offering visa-free access to just 46 countries.
