By John Ikani
Nigeria’s passport has continued its downward spiral in global rankings, placing among the 20 least powerful passports in the world for 2024.
This grim reality is highlighted in the latest Henley Passport Index, which assesses passport strength based on visa-free access to other countries.
The index, now in its tenth year, positions Nigeria at a lowly 92nd out of 103 countries.
Holders of Nigerian passports can currently visit only 45 countries without requiring a visa.
This persistent poor performance contrasts sharply with the nation’s West African neighbours and imposes significant financial burdens on Nigerians seeking to travel abroad.
Singapore has reclaimed the top spot as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 countries.
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain share the second position with access to 192 destinations.
While Nigeria grapples with passport challenges, its citizens can still travel visa-free to some neighbouring countries like Ghana, Benin, and Niger.
However, the broader picture remains discouraging, underscoring the need for substantial improvements to bolster the Nigerian passport’s global standing.
