Suriname-based Nigerians face wider visa needs as passport slides to 181st place

Nigerian passport holders have lost visa-free access to 20 destinations, according to the latest Izi Visas Passport Ranking Index. The index places Nigeria at 181st out of 196 evaluated nations, down from 90th position in mid-2026.

Key facts

• Nigeria now ranks 181st of 196 countries in the Izi Visas Passport Ranking Index, down from 90th in mid-2026.
• 20 destinations no longer grant visa-free entry to Nigerian passport holders.
• Unconditional visa-free access has fallen from 44 to 24 countries.
• Nigerian passport holders can access 83 countries across all entry categories.
• Breakdown: 24 visa-free, 16 visa on arrival, 43 requiring electronic visa pre-authorisation.

What has changed?

Twenty destinations that previously allowed Nigerian passport holders to enter without a visa have been reclassified, the index shows. Sixteen of them now fall under visa-on-arrival arrangements: Burundi, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles (visitor's permit on arrival), Tanzania, Uganda, Cambodia, Iran, Lebanon, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Niue (entry permit on arrival) and Tuvalu.

Which destinations now require authorisation in advance?

Four destinations require electronic travel authorisations (ETAs) or special clearance: Kenya (electronic travel authorisation), Suriname (entry fee/e-Visa clearance), Kiribati and the Cook Islands.

Overall, unconditional visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens has shrunk to 24 nations, while 16 destinations offer visas on arrival and 43 require electronic visa pre-authorisation. In total, Nigerian passport holders can now access 83 countries across all entry categories.

How does Nigeria compare with other passports?

The index places the United Arab Emirates first worldwide, with streamlined border access to 185 of 198 tracked destinations. European passports such as Switzerland's follow, with visa-free access to 120 locations alongside port-of-entry and digital visa arrangements.

Figures from the Henley Passport Index show several African countries ahead of Nigeria: South Africa ranks 49th globally with access to 101 destinations, and Botswana is 61st with 81 destinations. Morocco, Kenya and Ghana also hold higher rankings.

What this means for travellers

Nigerian citizens planning trips should check the current entry requirement for each destination before booking, as places that previously allowed visa-free entry may now require a visa on arrival, an electronic travel authorisation or clearance in advance. For travel to Suriname, the index notes an entry fee and e-Visa clearance requirement.

The index attributes the decline to reduced international access for holders of the green passport. No further changes, dates or policy announcements are stated in the release.