Diaspora Tax Proposal is Exploitative and Harmful, Says NIDCOM

NIDCOM Slams Diaspora Tax Proposal
Says Proposal Will Discourage Nigerians From Visiting Home
Argues That Policy Will Distract Tourist From Visiting Nigeria

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has condemned the suggestion made by Chief Dokun Olumofin to impose a $500 tourism tax on Nigerians returning home during the “Detty December” festive period.

According to NIDCOM, the proposal was poorly thought out and very harmful.

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In a statement released by the Commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun and sighted by EkoHotBlog, NIDCOM said the idea would discourage Nigerians abroad from visiting home, rather than encouraging them.

The Commission is of the belief that the proposal would hurt efforts to encourage more Nigerians in the diaspora to visit, invest, and promote the country.

Furthermore, NIDCOM also pointed out that in 2024, remittances from Nigerians abroad reached an all-time high, and the money they spent in the country, like the N54 billion spent in Lagos hotels during December, contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economy.

The statement further reiterated the fact that taxing Nigerians visiting their own country would go against this progress.

The Commission also warned that such a tax could lead to corruption and harm the country’s image.

They believe the government already collects enough revenue through indirect taxes on things like entertainment and services, without needing to add a direct tax for visitors.

NIDCOM demanded that the government’s focus should be on improving infrastructure, like security and transport, to make Nigeria more welcoming for visitors, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Commission also encouraged states to continue creating a welcoming environment for tourists and Nigerians abroad.

NIDCOM made it known that many countries of the world are lowering barriers to attract tourists, saying that Chief Olumofin’s proposal would do the exact opposite by making it more expensive for Nigerians to visit home.

It would be recalled that Olumofin had earlier sent a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu proposing a $500 tax on Nigerians and tourists visiting between November and January.

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Femi Fabunmi