Nigerian passport holders now enjoy easier global mobility, with access to 45 countries without the need for a pre-arranged visa, according to the latest data released by Visaindex.

The updated ranking highlights gradual improvements in travel opportunities for Nigerians, offering greater flexibility for tourism, business trips, education, and family visits while reducing the usual administrative hurdles associated with international travel.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 allow full visa-free entry, while the remaining countries provide simplified alternatives such as visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).

The specific requirements vary by country, but the overall trend points to expanding travel access for Nigerian citizens.

Several African countries have taken deliberate steps in recent years to ease travel restrictions within the continent, strengthening regional integration and economic cooperation.

The Gambia has maintained a visa-free policy for all African travellers since 2019, a move that has boosted tourism and trade. The policy also extends to citizens of Commonwealth countries, the European Union, and selected Baltic states.

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Benin followed a similar path in 2019 when it abolished visa requirements for all African nationals. The decision has enhanced cross-border movement and reinforced Benin’s role as a strategic commercial hub in West Africa.

In East Africa, Kenya announced plans in 2023 to remove visa requirements for all African visitors as part of broader efforts to deepen regional economic ties and encourage intra-African travel.

Rwanda has also positioned itself as a leader in travel liberalisation. In November 2023, it introduced a policy granting visa-free entry to all Africans, further solidifying its reputation as one of the continent’s top tourism destinations.

Ghana has recently joined the growing list of African countries offering visa-free entry, a policy expected to attract more visitors and investors while strengthening its status as a regional trade and tourism centre.

Other Visa-Free Destinations for Nigerians

Beyond Africa, Nigerian travellers can access a range of countries across the Caribbean, Pacific, and other regions with minimal entry requirements.

These destinations include:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

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Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Haiti

Kiribati

Liberia

Mali

Micronesia

Montserrat

Niger

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Vanuatu

The expanding list of accessible destinations is seen as a positive step toward improving Nigeria’s global mobility ranking