Nigeria has recorded the steepest decline in passport power in Africa over the past two decades, according to the Henley Passport Index (HPI) for January 2026. The analysis, released on Tuesday, shows that Nigeria’s passport has fallen 27 places since the launch of the index in 2006, sliding to 89th out of 199 countries from 62nd. The decline is attributed to limited visa liberalisation, tightening global mobility rules, and weak reciprocal agreements, making travel increasingly difficult for citizens of Africa’s most populous nation. Globally, Nigeria posted the second-biggest long-term decline, behind Bolivia, which dropped 32 places.
Despite a modest short-term improvement, with Nigeria rising five places from 94th in the January 2025 edition, the country remains far behind its former ranking, highlighting two decades of relative underperformance. The Henley Passport Index, created 20 years ago, ranks passports based on the number of destinations holders can access visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). While passport rankings at the top have become more competitive, countries at the lower end, including Nigeria, face growing isolation and a widening global mobility gap.