Nigerian Passport, Now 92nd, Adds a Visa-Free Stop for Travellers From Burundi

Nigerian passport holders can reach 45 destinations without getting a visa in advance, according to the 2026 Henley Passport Index. The passport has climbed two places, from 94th in 2025 to 92nd globally, and its visa-free count has risen from 44 to 45.

Key facts

• 2026 ranking: 92nd globally, up from 94th in 2025
• Visa-free destinations: 45, up from 44 the previous year
• Regions covered: Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific
• Index data source: the International Air Transport Association (IATA)

What does the index measure?

The Henley Passport Index draws its data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It ranks the world's passports according to how many destinations their holders can enter without securing a visa before travelling.

The index covers general international travel only. It does not determine eligibility for work permits, student visas or permanent residency applications in other countries.

Which destinations are visa-free for Nigerian passport holders?

The 2026 figures list the following 45 destinations as reachable without a visa obtained in advance: Barbados, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Chad, Comoro Islands, Cook Islands, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iran, Kenya, Kiribati, Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Mozambique, Niger, Niue, Palau Islands, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, St Kitts and Nevis, The Gambia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Does visa-free entry mean no conditions?

No. Entry conditions vary by destination. Some countries offer visas on arrival or require an electronic travel authorisation, while others set specific conditions relating to passport validity, supporting documentation and permitted length of stay.

Nigerian citizens planning international travel are encouraged to confirm current requirements with the relevant immigration authorities before departure.

How has Nigeria's ranking changed over the years?

Nigeria's standing has shifted considerably over two decades. The country ranked 62nd in 2006, falling to 76th by 2010 and 87th in 2012. A brief recovery to 78th came in 2013, before the ranking dropped sharply to 95th in 2015.

Between 2018 and 2020 the passport sat between 94th and 95th place, and 2021 marked a low point at 103rd. A gradual recovery followed: 98th in 2022, 97th in 2023, 95th in 2024, 94th in 2025 and now 92nd in 2026.

What this means for travellers

Travellers with a Nigerian passport should check whether their intended destination appears in the 45-country list before booking, and then confirm the specific entry conditions that apply to that destination.

Anyone travelling for work or study should note that the Henley Passport Index does not cover work permits or student visas, so those applications follow separate rules.