The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has dismissed a proposal to impose a $500 tax on Nigerians and tourists returning home during the festive season.
The proposal, submitted by socialite Chief Dokun Olumofin to President Bola Tinubu, aimed to generate revenue between November and January.
In a statement on Wednesday, NIDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, condemned the idea as exploitative and harmful to diaspora relations.
The commission argued that taxing returnees would discourage visits and investments, citing record diaspora remittances in 2024 and ₦54 billion earned by Lagos hotels during December.
NIDCOM urged the government to focus on creating a supportive environment for tourism and investment instead of imposing additional costs on returnees.