“100th place in 2022, 96th in the first quarter of 2023, an upward review if you ask me.” – Nigerian passport

On Friday, the Henley Passport Index, the global passport ranking authority, released rankings of 199 passports, and Nigeria came 96 out of 108.

The ranking was done according to the number of destinations passport holders can access visa-free. Nigerian passport holders can access only 46 countries visa-free.

UPWARD REVIEW?

In the last five years, Nigeria’s passport rankings have oscillated between 93 and 100, maintaining its 45 and 46 visa-free access countries.

The only glowing thing to say about Nigeria in the new ranking is that it has moved four ranks higher and inched 95 steps closer to being number one.

Its guaranteed mobility score, however, isn’t any different from the previous year. In 2022, Nigerians could only access 46 out of the world’s 195 countries visa-free as 100th place holder. In the 96th place this year, the country’s passport still has access to only 46 countries visa-free.

This is in stark contrast to the top ranking countries, Japan and Singapore, which passports enable their citizens to access up to 193 countries visa-free.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Passport Ranks Among World’s Worst in a New Index

What this means is that depending on the country which passport you hold, your mobility across the globe could be seamless or an harrowing ordeal, a concept often referred to as ‘passport privilege’.

A strong passport offers limitless possibilities like greater travel access, and also accords you higher status and privileges. This is the opposite of what weak passports offer you.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF HAVING A WEAK PASSPORT?

At different times, Nigerians have reported how harshly they were treated by immigration officials when visiting other countries. They often complain of being subjected to criminal scrutiny at airports, as opposed to how their counterparts from other countries are treated.

One time at the Airport in Japan. The Immigration Officer upon seeing I and my college’s Passport that we’re Nigerians. Stepped us aside and gave us a thorough search. Other African Nationalities past use without search. It was a matter of reputation rather than color I feel

— PortHarcourt Sailor (@GodsgreatG) June 3, 2020

READ ALSO: Dunchi Lar, Lady Who Shared Videos of Immigration Officers Mistreating Nigerians at Dubai Airport, Sent to One Year in Jail

This happened to me on entering Kenya. Had to drop $50 If not I will have been framed for carrying drugs by the airport police.

One look at my passport and I was taken to the other room.

— Tayo Aina (@tayoainafilms) March 13, 2022

In October 2022, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) slammed a visa ban on Nigeria and 20 other African countries. This followed an earlier tourist visa ban on Nigerians under 40 years of age.

To visit countries like the United States, Germany, and Japan, weak passport holders like Nigerians have to provide personal details and start visa application weeks, and sometimes months, ahead; yet, approval is not guaranteed.

Furthermore, passport strength can sometimes differentiate how people are treated in a crisis.

When Russia dropped its first missile on Ukraine’s soil on February 24, 2022, several Nigerians studying in Ukraine were denied access to cross over to bordering countries.

While the event had racist colourations, it might have panned out differently if the students were from countries with stronger passports.

Because countries with stronger passports typically have higher GDPs per capita and greater military strength, and enjoy relative stability, they are often considered priority and treated with dignity in times of distress. This is in contrast to how people wielding weak passports are treated.