Nigeria’s Passport Plunges to 181st in IziVisa Ranking, With 24 Visa-Free Destinations

Nigeria’s passport has been ranked 181st out of 196 countries in the latest IziVisa Passport Ranking Index, with holders able to travel to 24 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance, according to data published by the platform.

The ranking marks a significant difference from Nigeria’s 90th position in July 2026, when the Henley Passport Index reportedly gave the country a visa-free score of 44 destinations. However, the two rankings use different methodologies and should not be treated as directly comparable.

According to IziVisa, Nigerian passport holders can enter 24 countries visa-free, obtain visas on arrival in 16 countries and access 43 destinations through electronic visas. The figures reflect different categories of travel access available to Nigerian citizens.

IziVisa explained that its ranking considers the destinations passport holders can access without obtaining a visa beforehand, alongside other entry arrangements such as visas on arrival and electronic visas. These categories help assess the level of international travel access available to citizens of different countries.

The United Arab Emirates leads the 2026 IziVisa ranking, with its passport providing access to 185 of 198 documented destinations through visa-free entry, visas on arrival or electronic visas. Switzerland occupies second position, with access to 120 destinations without a visa, 26 offering visas on arrival and 37 accessible through electronic visas.

Other countries featuring prominently in the ranking include Luxembourg, Malta, Denmark, Spain and Finland. The disparity between countries at the top and bottom of the index highlights the differences in international mobility available to passport holders worldwide.

Separately, the July 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index placed Nigeria 90th out of 199 passports assessed, with visa-free access to 44 destinations. The ranking, compiled by Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association, assessed 199 passports against 227 travel destinations.

Among African countries in the Henley ranking, South Africa placed 49th globally with access to 101 destinations, followed by Botswana in 61st position with 81 destinations. Morocco ranked 67th with 71 destinations, Kenya placed 68th with 70, while Ghana ranked 70th with access to 67 destinations. Nigeria’s reported position in the IziVisa index therefore highlights the importance of checking each ranking’s methodology before drawing conclusions about changes in the country’s passport strength.