When compared to the rest of the world, Nigeria does not have the best facilities for her citizens. Even though the country has the largest economy in Africa, a large percentage of its population are living in poverty. Most systems in the country, like Education, financial, services, etc. are in a degraded state. The rate of unemployment is also very high and the little who are able to get a job earn below a dollar per day. The exchange rate of the currency to most countries of the world is also high. This is why many Nigerians are looking for ways of leaving the country even if it means passing through the dreaded Sahara desert into Europe.
We do not wish for any Nigerian to become an illegal immigrant by passing through the desert. That is why we have prepared a list of visa free countries for Nigerians. Since visa to most countries is considered expensive for an average Nigerian. Some countries however give free visa to Nigerian passport holder wishing to visit their countries.
Often times, deciding where to travel to for vacation can sometimes be challenging for Nigerians since they are not sure whether or not they will require a visa to get into their country of choice. When it comes to filing for visas, many Nigerian travelers, especially first-timers, find themselves in the traditional chicken-or-the-egg situation. We need visas to travel, but many places won’t issue us one unless we also have a valid visa for somewhere else. Visa-free countries can assist close this gap by providing opportunities for travelers to accumulate travel experience.
Because it’s crucial to double-check each country’s visa situation before traveling, we will highlight these nations in this article. These statuses may occasionally change, and if they do, you don’t want to be left behind.
Visa Free Countries For Nigerian Passport Holders
As of November 2023, Nigerians have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 25 countries and territories. This is a reasonable figure even though it is not a large amount. Aside from these nations, other countries grant holders of Nigerian passports visas on arrival or through an electronic visa program (eVisa). As a result, there are now visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and eVisa destinations, putting the total to 47 countries overall. Here are some countries a Nigerian passport holder can travel to without a visa:
eVisa, Visa on Arrival and Visa Free Countries for Nigerian Citizens in Africa
Below are African countries that issue either eVisas, visa on arrival and visa free countries for Nigerians or Nigerian passport holders:
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroun
- Cabo Verde
- Chad
- Comoros
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mozambique *
- Niger
- Rwanda
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
eVisa, Visa on Arrival and Visa Free Countries for Nigerian Citizens in Asia
Below are Asian countries that issue either eVisas, visa on arrival and visa free countries for Nigerians or Nigerian passport holders:
- Iran
- Kyrgyzstan
- Maldives
- Timor-Leste
eVisa, Visa on Arrival and Visa Free Countries for Nigerian Citizens in North and South America
Below are North and South American countries that issue either eVisas, visa on arrival and visa free countries for Nigerians or Nigerian passport holders:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Haiti
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Suriname
eVisa and Visa Free Countries for Nigerian Citizens in Oceania
Below are Oceania countries that issue either eVisas, visa on arrival and visa free countries for Nigerians or Nigerian passport holders:
- Fiji
- Micronesia
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
23 countries are accessible to Nigerian nationals and those with a valid Nigerian passport without the need to make advance arrangements or pay for a visa. Except for Nigeria, all 14 ECOWAS nations are included in this list. Although you do not need a visa to visit these nations, I still suggest that you travel with your return tickets (if you are flying), a passport that is valid for at least six months and has two blank pages for stamps, as well as confirmation of your finances and lodging.
Additionally, if you travel by land in West African nations, immigration officials frequently demand that you pay a particular amount of money. Obviously, this is against the law, yet they frequently get away with it. The only points of entry that somewhat adhere to the visa-free policy are the airports. Here is a comprehensive list of nations that grant holders of Nigerian passports visas on arrival, along with information on how much each visa will cost.
| Countries | Continent | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comoros | Africa | 45 Days | The visa on arrival costs about $33 |
| Ethiopia | Africa | 90 Days | You may also apply for an eVisa. The 30-day visa costs $50 and the 90-day visa, costs more – All single entry at Bole Int’l Airport. |
| Iran | Asia | 30 Days | You may also apply for an eVisa. The visa on arrival and eVisa cost €55 |
| Lebanon | Asia | 30 Days | Nigerian Citizens must have a non-refundable return ticket, a copy of a reservation in a 3 to 5-star hotel or private residential address with a telephone number in the Republic of Lebanon, and at least $2,000 in cash |
| Madagascar | Africa | 90 Days | The visa on arrival and eVisa fees start from €29.90 |
| Maldives | Asia | 30 Days | The visa on arrival is free. However, you must have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. See the Foreign Affairs Website for more information |
| Mauritania | Africa | 30 Days | The visa on arrival costs €55 |
| Mauritius | Africa | 14 Days | Visa on arrival is Free |
| Mozambique | Africa | 30 Days | The visa on arrival costs $50 *edit: June 2021 – I’ve read that this country no longer offers a visa on arrival to Nigerians. I can’t find any official confirmation of this but it is something to be aware of. |
| Somalia | Africa | 90 Days | The visa on arrival costs $50. |
| Timor-Leste | Asia | 90 Days | Visitors must apply for a Visa Authorization Application at a Timor-Leste Embassy or Consulate. The visa on arrival costs $30. |
| Tuvalu | Oceania | 30 Days | The visa on arrival costs $100 (AUS) |
| Uganda | Africa | 30 Days | The visa on arrival starts from $50. You may also apply for an eVisa. |
With a visa on arrival, you can pick one up at the country’s point of entry. This indicates that no special preparations for visas are required in advance. At the border, one is simply purchased. The same nations that provide eVisas also provide visas on arrival. I think it is preferable to use the eVisa option if you can, especially as I hear more reports and grow more anxious about nations refusing to let Nigerians through.
eVisa Countries for Nigerian Passport Holders
Below are countries that issue eVisa to Nigerians or Nigerian passport holders:
| Countries | Continent | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | North America | 30 Days | The eVisa costs $100 |
| Djibouti | Africa | 60 Days | The eVisa fees start from $90 |
| Ethiopia | Africa | 90 Days | The eVisa fees start from $99 |
| Gabon | Africa | 90 Days | The eVisa fees start from €70 |
| Kenya | Africa | 90 Days | The eVisa costs $50. |
| Kyrgyzstan | Asia | 60 Days | The eVisa fees start from $41 |
| Lesotho | Africa | 90 Days | The eVisa fees start from $150 |
| Madagascar | Africa | 90 Days | The eVisa fees start from €29.90 |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | Africa | 30 Days | The eVisa fees start from $47. (If you have a US or Schengen visa, it is free for stays up to 15 days) |
| Suriname | South America | 60 Days | The eVisa fees start from $45 |
| Uganda | Africa | 30 Days | The eVisa costs $50. |
| Zambia | Africa | N/A | The eVisa fees start from $50 |
| Zimbabwe | Africa | N/A | The eVisa fees start from $30 |