Nigeria’s passport ranking has fallen from 90th position in July 2026 to 181st out of 196 countries in the latest IziVisa Passport Ranking Index, reflecting a decline in the number of destinations Nigerian passport holders can visit without securing a visa in advance.
According to data published on IziVisa.com, Nigerian passport holders can travel to 24 countries visa-free, obtain visas on arrival in 16 countries and access 43 countries through electronic visas.
The latest ranking marks a significant drop from July 2026, when Nigeria ranked 90th and its passport offered visa-free access to 44 destinations.
The drop in visa-free access from 44 to 24 destinations highlights the decline in the number of countries Nigerian passport holders can visit without obtaining a visa in advance, based on the figures reported in the two rankings.
IziVisa stated on its website that passport rankings are determined by the number of destinations holders can visit without obtaining a visa in advance.
The index assesses passport strength based on access to destinations through visa-free entry, visas on arrival and electronic visas, reflecting the international travel opportunities available to passport holders.
The United Arab Emirates tops the 2026 IziVisa ranking, with its passport granting access to 185 of 198 destinations through visa-free entry, visas on arrival or electronic visas.
Switzerland ranks second, with its passport offering visa-free access to 120 destinations, visas on arrival in 26 countries and electronic visa access to 37 destinations.
Other countries featuring prominently in the ranking include Luxembourg, Malta, Denmark, Spain and Finland.
IziVisa noted that the gap between the highest- and lowest-ranked passports highlights the disparity in international travel access. The index measures freedom of movement based on the number of destinations passport holders can visit without obtaining a visa in advance.
