By Our Correspondent

National News – Nigeria’s passport has climbed in global rankings but lost visa-free access, according to the latest Henley Passport Index released in April 2026.

The report shows that the country moved from 95th position in January 2024 to 89th in 2026, marking a six-place improvement.

However, the number of countries Nigerians can visit without a visa declined from 46 in 2025 to 44 in 2026, raising concerns about the true strength of the travel document.

The index, which ranks 199 passports using data from the International Air Transport Association, revealed that despite Nigeria’s improved ranking, several countries have tightened entry rules for its citizens.

Nations such as Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Somalia, Mauritania, and São Tomé and Príncipe have shifted Nigerians to visa-required status.

This change occurred over recent years due to administrative decisions rather than diplomatic conflicts.

Interestingly, Nigeria gained access to new destinations including Fiji, Samoa, Rwanda, and Micronesia.

However, these additions were outweighed by losses in other regions, particularly in Africa.

Experts say the ranking increase is partly due to declines in other countries rather than significant gains by Nigeria.

Analysts argue that internal challenges, including economic instability and migration pressures, influence how foreign governments treat Nigerian travellers.

According to policy observers, many countries are tightening visa rules because of concerns about irregular migration and overstays.

Regionally, Nigeria still lags behind peers. Ghana ranks 67th with access to 67 destinations, while South Africa leads Africa with visa-free travel to 100 countries.

Globally, Singapore remains the strongest passport with access to 192 destinations, while Afghanistan ranks lowest.

Officials from Nigeria’s immigration system noted that visa-free access depends largely on bilateral agreements and reciprocity between countries.

They emphasised ongoing efforts to improve passport technology and meet international standards.