NIGERIA’S passport has been ranked 96th out of 108 countries globally.
According to a report released by a global passport ranking authority, the Henley Passport Index, Nigeria’s passport ranked below those of countries like South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi, Uganda, Ghana, Morocco, Benin, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Senegal, Niger, Mali, Chad, Algeria, Burundi and Congo.
The ranking was based on the number of visa-free destinations passport holders can access.
The report stated that Nigeria’s passport holders can access only 46 countries visa-free.
Japan and Singapore topped the list with their passport gaining access to 193 destinations while Afghanistan ranked last with 27.
African countries ranked ahead of Nigeria include Namibia (66th), Malawi (70th), Kenya (71st), Tanzania (72nd), Zambia (73rd), The Gambia (75th), Ghana (79th), Sierra Leone (79th), Rwanda (82nd), Burkina Faso (85th) and Cote d’Ivoire (86th). Niger Republic and Mali occupied the 89th position.
Speaking with Arise Tv on Friday, February 10, the Managing Partner Uk/Nigeria of Henley and Partner Group, Stuart Wakeling, described the ranking as very important.
“It is a very important ranking because it shows the ability of the citizens of that nation to guide you on how many countries they can travel to visa-free or visa upon arrival.
“It is pretty much every single country on the planet and it analyzes destinations that passport holder country has in association with another country.”
Wakeling further stressed that the ranking is aimed at increasing the global mobility of people.
“We are doing this for greater mobility across the planet for increased business opportunity,” he added.
The ICIR earlier reported Nigerian passport was ranked 98th out of 199 countries in the 1st quarter of 2022.
According to the ranking released by Henley & Partners, the Nigerian passport ranked below those of other African countries such as Malawi, Niger, Chad, Zimbabwe, Uganda and The Gambia.
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