By: Mercy Peter
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has described as exploitative, the advice on imposition of $500 tax on December returnees.
NIDCOM argued that such an arrangement will only discourage Diasporans from visiting and investing back home.
One, Chief Dokun Olumofin, had proposed the tourism tax during the festive “Detty December” period.
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.
NiDCOM in a statement signed by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said it is ill-advised and potentially exploitative.
Balogun said such a proposal is counter productive , and is all shades of No.
The statement described such an advise 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 Diasporans to visit home , invite others and invest.
“Besides, the remittances of the diaspora in 2024 alone was the highest so far into the economy; they have been investing massively in various sectors of the economy.
“The said N54 billion 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 why tax Nigerians coming to their country for various reasons and promoting their country positively?
“Such advice is also seen by NIDCOM as some 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 Diasporans and tourists in general , projecting that the numbers will continue to grow, while encouraging all states to do 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,” the statement partly reads.
