UAE passport ranks 2nd, offers Nigerians visa-free access to 188 destinations
The UAE passport has risen to joint second globally, granting visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to 188 destinations, according to the 20th‑anniversary Henley Passport Index. Two decades ago the UAE passport sat in the middle of the rankings; since then it has added access to 153 new visa‑free spots, the biggest jump in the index’s history. Singapore tops the list with 192 destinations, while Japan and South Korea share second place with the UAE.
For Nigerians, the rise matters because the UAE and Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in January 2026, aimed at boosting bilateral trade and opening market access for Nigerian businesses and professionals. The UAE’s tax‑friendly environment also makes it a magnet for high‑net‑worth individuals, including Nigerian billionaires such as Aliko Dangote, Nassef Sawiris and Johann Rupert, who use it for wealth preservation.
Beyond the passport gain, the report shows global mobility has improved: the average passport now offers visa‑free entry to 108 destinations, up from 58 in 2006, although the gap between the strongest and weakest passports has widened (Afghanistan allows entry to just 22 countries). The United States has fallen to 10th place and the United Kingdom to sixth, while Asian nations dominate the top spots.
Nigerians looking to travel, invest or relocate should monitor CEPA‑related opportunities, consider the UAE’s visa‑free travel for short trips, and explore residency or investment options that leverage the country’s favourable tax regime.