The Nigerian passport has climbed 14 positions in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, moving from 103rd to 89th place globally. This improvement reflects Nigeria's growing diplomatic engagement and economic partnerships.
Current Visa-Free Access
Nigerian passport holders can now access 44 destinations without a prior visa, including:
Africa
- All ECOWAS member states (visa-free)
- Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda (visa on arrival)
- Mauritius, Seychelles (visa-free)
- Rwanda (visa on arrival)
Asia and Middle East
- Iran, Maldives, Cambodia (visa on arrival)
- Timor-Leste, Laos (visa on arrival)
Caribbean and Pacific
- Barbados, Dominica, Haiti (visa-free)
- Fiji, Micronesia, Vanuatu (visa on arrival)
Remaining Restrictions
Nigerian passport holders still require visas for:
- Europe: Schengen area, UK, Ireland
- North America: USA, Canada
- Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Business Travel Strategies
For Nigerian business travelers, we recommend:
- Apply Early: Start visa applications at least 4-6 weeks before travel
- Document Preparation: Maintain organized business documentation
- Multiple Entry Visas: Request multi-entry visas where available
- Travel History: Build a positive travel history with visa-free destinations
Diplomatic Progress
The improvement in passport ranking reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts, including:
- Nigeria-UAE CEPA (includes visa facilitation provisions)
- Bilateral agreements with several countries
- Active engagement in international forums
I-STRATA Advisory
We provide visa facilitation services for Nigerian business travelers, including application support, documentation preparation, and interview coaching. Our success rate exceeds 95% for business visa applications.