In the latest assessment by VisaGuide’s World Passport Index, the Nigerian passport has retained its position among the bottom ten globally, currently ranking at 191 out of 199 countries. The passport's stagnant value places it alongside nations like North Korea, Iraq, Libya, and others, highlighting significant challenges for Nigerian travelers seeking international mobility.
Factors contributing to this decline include visa-free access, diplomatic relations, and security concerns. The index employs the Destination Significance Score (DSS) to evaluate passports, considering criteria such as GDP, Power Index, Tourism Index, and Human Development Index. Despite efforts to improve mobility, including e-visa initiatives, the Nigerian passport continues to face limitations, with bearers only able to access 45 countries without a visa.
This ranking underscores the ongoing erosion of Nigeria's international credibility and its impact on citizens' global mobility prospects. The report also revealed that the Singaporean passport is ranked as the strongest in the world, followed by Italy, Spain, France, and Germany. Each passport's value is determined by the unique Destination Significance Score (DSS), reflecting factors like visa-free travel, electronic travel authorization, and embassy-approved visas.
Additionally, the Henley Passport Index, which considers the number of countries passport holders can enter without a visa, previously listed the Nigerian passport among the worst 10 performing travel documents worldwide.
This consistently low ranking highlights the pressing need for Nigeria to address the underlying issues affecting its passport's global standing.
