Nigeria's Passport Ranking Plummets to 181st in 2026

Nigeria's passport ranking has significantly declined, dropping from 90th position in July 2026 to 181st in the latest IziVisa Passport Ranking Index. The report indicates that Nigerian passport holders can now access only 24 countries without a visa, down from 44 in July 2026.

Additionally, they can secure visas on arrival in 16 countries and access 43 countries through electronic visas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by spokesman Oluwafemi Adeniyi, has not responded to requests for comment on this situation.

A foreign affairs analyst criticized the decline, stating it reflects poorly on Nigeria's standing among nations and urged the government to take immediate action to improve the situation. The IziVisa index ranks passports based on the number of destinations accessible without prior visa requirements, illustrating disparities in international travel access.

The United Arab Emirates ranks first, providing access to 185 destinations, while Switzerland is second with access to 120 destinations.