Nigerian passport downgraded again; now among 20 worst globally

Again, the Nigerian passport has been ranked the 20th worst-performing travel document in the world for the third time in a row, according to The Henley Passport Index, a recognised authority in rating passports from countries worldwide.
Japan, whose citizens can access 193 countries without obtaining a prior visa, ranked first in the global passport ranking.
Singapore and South Korea placed second as bearers of their passports can easily enter 192 nations without a visa.
The Henley Passport Index relies on data collated from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) with essential travel statistics from 199 different passports and 227 travel destinations.
Holders of Nigerian passports can access only 46 nations, mostly in Africa, with the green-hued document visa-free or visa-on-arrival policy, earning it the 180th position among 199 countries.
Other countries among the 20 worst-performing passports are Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, and Syria.
Afghanistan, however, ranked the worst-performing passport as its holders are limited to accessing only 27 nations without a visa.
Nigeria has had a string of poor rankings since 2006.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Economy
Malaysian analysts expect lower crude palm oil prices in 2023
Malaysian analysts on Wednesday foresaw crude palm oil (CPO) prices to trend lower in 2023 on increased supply and slow demand.

Rights
Ex-Liberian rebel jailed for rape, cannibalism appeals court ruling
The ex-rebel commander who fought against former President Charles Taylor’s army in the 1990s also faces new allegations of crimes against humanity in Switzerland.

World
Flights grounded across U.S. amid FAA system failure
Air traffic in the U.S. has been severely affected, with hundreds of flights delayed and many cancelled after a major technical malfunction.

World
EU, NATO launch task force to protect critical infrastructure
The announcement came a day after the signing of a declaration on NATO-EU cooperation aimed at increasing cooperation between the institutions.

World
Sri Lanka condemns Canada’s sanctioning of its two ex-presidents
Canada imposed sanctions on four Sri Lankan state officials, including former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Rights
Bauchi magistrates decry poor salaries, warn of dire consequences
“This is perilous. It renders the judicial system susceptible to corruption and monetisation of access to justice, making justice in favour of the highest bidder, God forbid.”