Nigerian passport mobility score

Key Takeaways

  • The mobility score improved dramatically from 42 in 2015 to 56 in 2023, highlighting a significant enhancement in travel freedom for Nigerian passport holders.
  • A sharp decline occurred in 2020, dropping to 44, likely reflecting global travel disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Post-pandemic recovery is evident in the score rebounding to 48 in 2021 and surging to 54 by 2022, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
  • The overall trend shows a steady upward trajectory from 2017 onward, suggesting successful diplomatic and policy initiatives aimed at expanding visa-free travel.

Nigeria’s passport mobility has seen notable shifts over the past decade, reflecting changes in global travel dynamics and diplomatic efforts. In 2015, the mobility score stood at 42, experiencing a slight dip to 41 in 2016 before climbing steadily to 50 by 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a sharp decline, dropping the score back to 44 as global travel restrictions tightened.

Post-pandemic recovery began in 2021, with the score rebounding to 48, followed by a strong surge to 54 in 2022. This upward momentum peaked in 2023 at 56, marking the highest recorded mobility score in the dataset. Despite a slight stabilisation at 55 in 2024 and 2025, the overall trend shows a significant improvement, with Nigerian passport holders gaining access to more destinations over time.

From 2015 to 2025, the mobility score increased by 31%, underscoring enhanced international partnerships and improved visa agreements. While challenges such as global crises can impact travel freedom, Nigeria’s steady recovery highlights progress in global mobility access for its citizens.

Source:

Passport Index

Period:

2025
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The South-West remitted ₦341.18B in VAT but received only ₦106.85B, getting back just ₦0.31 for every ₦1 remitted.
  • Lagos carried the South-West VAT burden, remitting ₦305.52B (89.6% of the region's total) but receiving only ₦62.59B (20.5% return), making it the highest net contributor in Nigeria.
  • Osun had the most disproportionate gain, remitting a mere ₦590M but receiving ₦7.73B, an astronomical 1,211% return—the highest redistribution gain in the South-West.
  • The entire South-West remitted ₦341.18B but received only ₦106.85B, meaning it got back just ₦0.31 for every ₦1 contributed, highlighting a severe VAT allocation imbalance.
  • Ondo and Ogun remitted only ₦3.3B but received ₦16B combined, far exceeding their generated VAT, while Lagos alone subsidised most of the allocations across the country.
Abia State generated just 1.9% of the South-East’s VAT revenue but took home 18.6% of the total the region received
  • The South-East remitted ₦10.94 billion in VAT but received ₦39.15 billion, a 257.7% increase, showing a high reliance on VAT sharing.
  • Abia, the lowest contributor (₦734M), received ₦7.29B, nearly 10× its remittance, making it the biggest relative beneficiary in the region.
  • Anambra, the highest contributor (₦3.56B), received only ₦8.72B, showing a sharing trend where high-contributing states do not necessarily receive the most.
  • Every South-East state received at least 2× what they remitted, with an average allocation of ₦7.83B despite an average contribution of just ₦2.19B.
Zamfara, the lowest contributor, received over 5× its input, while Kano, the highest contributor, had the lowest relative gain
  • The North-West region received ₦66.55 billion, more than double its remittance (₦28.31B), showing a heavy reliance on federal VAT sharing.
  • Zamfara, the lowest contributor (₦1.45B), received the highest percentage gain (+433%), getting ₦7.72B, while Kano, the highest contributor (₦9.59B), had the smallest relative gain (+41.5%).
  • Kaduna and Katsina, despite remitting ₦3.50B and ₦3.86B, received ₦10.18B and ₦10.01B, respectively, nearly tripling their remittance.
  • Kano remitted 34% of the zone’s VAT but received only 20.4% of the total allocation, reinforcing that VAT is distributed based on equality and not economic strength.
Every North-East state received at least 2× what they contributed (₦46.68 billion in total), a 211.6% increase
  • The North-East remitted only ₦14.98 billion but received ₦46.68 billion, showing a 211.6% gain due to sharing.
  • Taraba, the lowest contributor (₦0.94 billion), saw the highest percentage gain (635%) with an allocation of ₦6.91 billion, reinforcing that smaller economies benefit the most from VAT sharing.
  • Bauchi, despite remitting just ₦2.44 billion, received the highest allocation (₦8.93 billion), a 266% increase, illustrating how VAT is shared based on equality and population, not economic activity.
  • Every state in the region received at least 2× what they remitted, highlighting the North East’s reliance on VAT sharing and fuelling the fiscal federalism debate on whether VAT should be retained at the state level.
South-west remitted ₦341.38B but received only ₦99.85B
  • South-West drives Nigeria’s VAT but gets little back. The region remitted ₦341.38B (53%) but received only ₦99.85B (29% return).
  • South-South remitted ₦121.84B but got ₦52.49B (43% return); Rivers alone gave ₦90.21B but got just ₦11.01B.
  • The North enjoyed the highest VAT gains, remitting ₦66.18B and receiving ₦161.11B (240% return); the North-West got ₦66.75B from ₦28.31B (235% return).
  • South-East and North-East got the biggest VAT boost. South-East: ₦10.94B remitted, ₦39.13B received (357.6% return); North-East: ₦14.94B remitted, ₦46.68B received (312.5% return).
Lagos State’s IGR skyrocketed 112% from ₦384.26B in 2013 to a record ₦815.86B in 2023
  • Lagos State’s IGR grew by 112%, from ₦384.26B in 2013 to a record ₦815.86B in 2023.
  • Revenue dipped to ₦268.22B in 2015 before recovering and steadily increasing.
  • A major jump occurred in 2019, with IGR rising from ₦382.18B to ₦646.61B in one year.
  • Despite a dip in 2022, IGR hit an all-time high in 2023, signalling a strong economic recovery.
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