A Nigerian socialite, Chief Dokun Olumofin, has proposed a $500 tourism tax for Nigerians in the diaspora returning home during the festive “Detty December” period.
According to reports, Lagos hotels raked in a staggering N54 billion last December.
Suggesting how the government can take advantage of the period to generate revenue, Olumofin, in a formal letter to President Bola Tinubu, outlined how the initiative could significantly benefit the nation’s finances.
In the proposal, Olumofin stated that imposing the tax on returning diasporans between November 25 and January 5 could raise as much as $125 million, or approximately N240 billion.
This revenue could be channelled into positioning Nigeria as a global destination for festive celebrations.
SIMILARLY, former Lagos State governor, Babajide Fashola, has emphasised the transformative potential of tourism and diaspora remittances to boost Nigeria’s economy, especially during the festive season.
Speaking at the 55th convocation lecture of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) yesterday, he explained the importance of leveraging the country’s “Detty December” phenomenon to drive economic growth.
Fashola, who is the Chairperson of the convocation lecture, noted that tourism during this period, coupled with diaspora remittances, “already contributes 4 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP,” urging stakeholders to explore intentional strategies to capitalise on this seasonal economic potential.
Detty December refers to Nigeria’s festive season, spanning mid-December through New Year’s Day. This period is marked by lively celebrations, social gatherings, parties, and festivities.(Guardian)
