1.1 Introduction

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, holds immense potential. However, its global standing faces challenges across key areas such as passport strength, international banking facilities, and global mobility constraints for its citizenry.

The Passport Index is a tool that ranks passports based on the number of visa-free travel destinations they allow access to, providing insights into the “mobility score” and visa requirements for different nationalities. 

1.2 Overview of the Nigerian Passport Index 

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations holders can access without a prior visa. As of 2025, Nigeria’s passport ranks 88th globally, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 45 destinations. This limited travel freedom affects Nigerians’ opportunities for global business, education, and tourism.

The Nigerian passport index is used to measure the strength of the Nigerian passport on a global scale. This index will measure the Nigerian passport in the following;

• Mobility score
• Visa-free
• Visa-on-arrival
• eTA (electronic travel authorization)
• Visa required
• Passport power rank
• World reach.

1.2.1 Mobility Score

In the Passport Index, the “Mobility Score” reflects the total number of destinations a passport holder can access with visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

The mobility score of the Nigerian passport currently is 55 which means with the Nigerian passport, its citizenry has access to 55 nations and these 55 countries are further divided according to the countries that grant Nigeria visas on arrival or those that can be travelled to visa-free or those that grants electronic travel authorization. 

1.2.2 Visa-Free

“visa-free” means a passport holder can travel to a particular country without needing a visa, requiring only a valid passport for entry and exit. 

According to the Nigerian passport index, the Nigerian passport can be used as a valid means of identification and access to 25 nations without the need for a visa. Some of these countries include Benin, Barbados, Rwanda, Ghana, Senegal, et cetera. 

1.2.3 Visa on Arrival

“visa on arrival” means that while a visa is required to enter a country, it can be obtained upon arrival at the border, often at the airport or land border.  

The Nigerian passport grants visa on arrival access to its citizens in 28 nations. Some of these nations include; Samoa, South-Sudan, Pakistan, Malawi, Maldives, et cetera. 

1.2.4 eTA (electronic travel authorization)

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a type of registration that is electronically linked to a traveler’s passport, allowing visa-exempt foreign nationals to enter a country without needing a traditional visa. 

An eTA is a digital travel document that streamlines border control procedures for visa-exempt visitors, enhancing security measures. Instead of applying for a visa, eligible travelers apply for an eTA online, which is then linked to their passport. Many countries have adopted eTA systems to facilitate travel for visa-exempt individuals while improving border security. 

While nigeria has not adopted the eTA system, some countries require Nigerian citizens to apply for an eTA before allowed travel into their country. And the count of countries that the Nigerian passport can give an eTA access include: Equitorial Guinea, Ethiopia, et cetera. 

1.2.5 Visa Required

“visa required” means that to legally enter a country, you need to obtain a visa before your trip, requiring an application process with forms, documents, and fees.

Nigeria requires a fully approved visa to have access to 143 countries.

1.3 Nigerian Passport Power Rank

“Passport power rank” refers to a ranking system that assesses the travel freedom and ease of entry a passport provides to its holder, primarily based on the number of countries they can visit visa-free or with a visa on arrival.  

Passport power rank essentially quantifies the “strength” of a passport by determining how many countries a holder can enter without needing a visa or by obtaining a visa upon arrival. Understanding passport power rank can be useful for individuals planning international travel, helping them choose a passport that will provide them with the most flexibility and ease of access to the countries they wish to visit.  

Various organizations, like VisaGuide.World and Passport Index, compile data on visa requirements for different nationalities and then rank passports based on this data.  

According to passport index, the Nigerian passport power rank is 84^th, but according to Henley passport Index as of march 2025, the Nigerian Passport power index is ranked 91^st. 

1.4 World Reach

“world reach” or “mobility score” refers to the percentage of countries a passport holder can enter visa-free, through visa on arrival, or via an eTA.  

World reach, also known as mobility score, indicates how many countries a passport allows holders to travel to without needing a visa or with a simplified entry process.  

Passport Index shows that a Nigerian passport has a world reach of 28%, meaning holders can enter 28% of countries visa-free.  

See table below for a more detailed summary of the Nigerian passport index.

Fig 1. Extracted from Nigeria Passport Dashboard | Passport Index 2025.

1.4.1 Factors influencing World Reach

A country’s diplomatic relations, economic strength, and global trust levels all play a role in determining its passport’s world reach.  

Regarding the Nigerian passport world reach being 28% means that we are heavily influenced by these factors especially when it comes to our economic strength and global trust. 

The Nigerian economic strength on a global scale is poor as Nigeria is ranked as a third world country and this is reflected in the comparison of the Nigerian Naira and the United States Dollar which is regarded as an international trading currency. As per records the Niara has steadily depreciated in comparison to its dollar counterpart in the last 2 years. This has had a heavy economic impact both on domestic and foreign trade. 

When we discuss global trust, Nigeria is regarded as a “High Risk” zone, and as such international trades and any foreign dealings with Nigeria is reduced to its barest minimum which in turn reduces the access of Nigerians to other countries. 

All these are factors that culminates and gives the Nigerian Passport a very low world reach of 28%. When compared to other african nations like Ghana and Egypt, Nigeria has a very low passport rank.

2. Financial Challenges and Implications

Nigeria’s passport ranking is further influenced by financial challenges that impact global mobility and economic transactions. These financial challenges include compliance with international financial regulations, limitations on money transfers, and foreign exchange restrictions.

2.1 FATF & Anti-Money Laundering Regulations

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has placed Nigeria on its “grey list” due to deficiencies in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) measures. This classification has led to stricter banking regulations for Nigerian businesses and travelers, making it more difficult to open international bank accounts and conduct global transactions. Nigerian financial institutions also face heightened scrutiny, which affects cross-border trade and investment.

2.2 Money Transfer Issues & Foreign Exchange Restrictions

Nigerians experience significant restrictions on sending and receiving money internationally. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has implemented stringent foreign exchange (forex) controls, limiting access to U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies. Additionally, international banks closely scrutinize Nigerian transactions due to concerns over fraud and illicit financial flows. The government’s previous ban on cryptocurrency transactions also reduced alternative money transfer options for Nigerians.

2.3 Travel & Financial Restrictions in Dubai

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) imposed visa restrictions on Nigerian travelers, citing security concerns. This has made it more difficult for Nigerians to visit, work, or invest in Dubai. Many UAE banks have stopped processing transactions from Nigeria, creating financial difficulties for Nigerian expatriates and businesses. Nigerian investors in Dubai also face increased scrutiny, particularly in the real estate sector, where property acquisitions have become more challenging.

3. Broader Metrics: Infrastructure, Health, and Education

The Nigerian passport index is affected by broader national factors such as infrastructure, health, and education, which play critical roles in global mobility and international perception.

3.1 Infrastructure Challenges

Nigeria’s infrastructure deficiencies, including poor road networks, inconsistent power supply, and unreliable public transport, negatively impact international business and travel. Limited airport facilities and outdated aviation policies further reduce Nigeria’s attractiveness as a global travel hub.

3.2 Health System Limitations

Nigeria’s healthcare system ranks low globally, leading many citizens to seek medical treatment abroad. The lack of well-equipped hospitals, inadequate health insurance coverage, and poor healthcare funding make it difficult for Nigerians to access quality medical care domestically. Many countries impose strict visa requirements for Nigerians seeking medical visas due to concerns over healthcare costs and overstays.

3.3 Education & Global Recognition

Many Nigerian students pursue international education due to the country’s limited university infrastructure and academic opportunities. However, Nigerian students face high visa rejection rates, particularly in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. These rejections are often due to concerns over financial proof, fraudulent applications, and perceived immigration risks. The lack of globally recognized qualifications from Nigerian universities further limits educational and professional opportunities abroad.

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References

Henley Passport Index (March 2025 data): https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking

Passport Index by Arton Capital: https://www.passportindex.org/

VisaGuide.World for comparative passport rankings: https://visaguide.world/passport/index/

FATF grey list designation and related financial compliance info: https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/High-risk-and-other-monitored-jurisdictions/increased-monitoring-february-2025.html

CBN foreign exchange policies and money transfer restrictions: https://www.cbn.gov.ng/Out/2025/CCD/Nigeria%20FX%20Code%20.pdf

Public domain info on Nigerian-UAE diplomatic issues: https://punchng.com/nigeria-uae-set-to-resolve-visa-issues-2/

World Bank and WHO insights on Nigerian infrastructure and health:  https://www.afro.who.int/countries/nigeria/news

Education visa rejection trends (UK, US, Canada): https://monitor.icef.com/2025/03/uk-reduced-demand-from-india-nigeria-and-bangladesh-drive-a-14-decline-in-sponsored-study-visas-in-2024/

US F1 visa approval and refusal rates for Nigerian applicants: https://theusgrad.com/f1-visa-issuances-by-country/nigeria-nga

Canada’s visa rejection rates: https://nairametrics.com/2025/03/09/canadas-visa-rejection-rates-reach-61-amid-intensified-immigration-fraud-clampdown/