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Nigerian Passport Climbs Nine Places In Ranking
The Nigerian passport has risen nine places in the latest global passport ranking, moving from its previous 100th position to 91 among the 199 countries and 227 travel destinations studied.
This is according to the recently released Henley Passport Index for Q2 2023.
The Henley Passport Index assesses the strength of world passports based on the number of destinations its holders can access without a prior visa.
Its latest ranking indicates an improved global access for Nigerians, though the number of countries accessible without visas or with visa-on-arrival remained at 46.
The Tide’s source’s findings indicated that the new standing might not reflect real improvement in passport strength, but with a consequence of other countries losing their earlier rating.
As of June 2022, travellers with Nigerian passports can only traverse 25 countries visa-free.
This number, however, rises to 45 destinations when visa-on-arrival or e-visa programmes are added.
In spite of this, the Nigerian passport ranked as the least powerful amongst the 15 countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The index showed The Gambia, leading the ECOWAS, ranked 72nd, Sierra Leone at 74th, Cabo Verde at 75th, Ghana at 76th, Benin at 78th, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast at 79th, Guinea at 80th, Senegal and Togo at 81st, Niger at 82nd, Mali and Guinea Bissau at 83rd, Liberia at 87th and Nigeria at 91st.
According to the CEO of Henley & Partners, Dr Juerg Steffen, a fall or improvement in ranking results from several factors, including reciprocity, economic and sociopolitical stability and tourism.
A former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, disclosed to the source that an assertive and consistent implementation of Nigeria’s war on drugs and cybercrime would mend the country’s reputation in the global community.
He said, “The offshoot of drug-related crime perpetrated by Nigerians abroad and a low-performing economy has brought us here.
“So, what can we do is strengthen our moral fibre by rigorously implementing regulations that shore up our standing globally.
“We must also ensure that the economy bounces back and becomes robust so well that our people are not voting with their feet.
“When fewer citizens indulge in criminal activities across international boundaries, and with these other steps I have mentioned, I think we will bounce back. Anything short of this will be a waste of our time”.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.