The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has rejected a proposal by Chief Dokun Olumofin to impose a $500 tourism tax on Nigerians in the diaspora returning home during the festive “Detty December” period. The commission described the idea as ill-advised and potentially exploitative, emphasising its opposition to measures that could discourage diaspora engagement and tourism.
Chief Dokun Olumofin had, in a formal letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, proposed a 500-dollar tax on all Nigerians and tourists coming home between November and January.
PRESS STATEMENT
‘DETTY DECEMBER’: ADVICE ON IMPOSITION OF TAX, BAD ADVICE, EXPLOITATION — NIDCOM
Abuja, Jan. 14, 2025:
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has described the suggestion by one Chief Dokun Olumofin, proposing a $500 tourism tax for Nigerians in the… pic.twitter.com/GgrcxD4r04
— Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) January 15, 2025
In a statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the commission labelled the proposed $500 tourism tax as counterproductive and unequivocally rejected the idea, describing it as “all shades of no.”
The statement described such advice as counterproductive and would rather discourage than encourage many Nigerians planning to come home.
“Such advice will no doubt mitigate efforts of the Diaspora Commission in encouraging the Diasporas to visit home, invite others, and invest.
“Besides, the remittances of the diaspora in 2024 alone were the highest so far into the economy, with massive investments in various sectors of the economy.
“The said 54 billion naira that Lagos hotels alone raked in December 2024, according to a report by an advisory firm, MO Africa Company Limited, is domiciled in the Nigerian economy, so it is ill-advised to tax Nigerians coming to their country for various reasons and promoting their country positively.
“Such advice is also seen by NIDCOM as a sinister move to damage the image and revenue streams of the government, just as its enforcement will equally pave the way for corruption.
“For now, the Commission believes that the government does not need to issue direct tax as it is already raking in money through channels of indirect taxes on all visitors through entertainment and other sundry services.
“The role of government in providing critical infrastructure, such as security and ease of transportation, as seen under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should rather be encouraged and sustained, while the diaspora organically continues to return home and contribute to the nation’s growth and development.”
NIDCOM reiterates that the government should continue to provide an enabling environment for all, which encourages the diaspora to come back home for holidays and invest more in the country.
NIDCOM also commends the Lagos state government for providing a world-class environment for Diasporas and tourists in general, projecting that the numbers will continue to grow while encouraging all states to do the same and the country be prepared for more positive implosions in the country’s tourism and entertainment landscape
“It is pathetic to note that while the world is lowering barriers to get more inflows and tourists into their country and economy, Chief Olumofin is suggesting increasing costs and raising barriers for Nigeria,” he said
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