Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has rejected socialite Dokun Olumofin’s unsolicited advice recommending the imposition of a $500 levy on Nigerians and foreigners coming into the country for the Christmas festivity, otherwise known as Detty December.

During the last yuletide, many Nigerians based abroad flew back home as usual to visit their folks and have a good time.

U.S. celebrities including Chloe Bailey, Gunna, Brooke Bailey, South African Grammy award-winning artiste Tyla and others visited last year for Detty December, with many hotels and short-let apartments fully booked.

Afterwards, Nigeria trended on major American websites like TheShadeRoom, where foreigners indicated interest in spending the 2025 Christmas holidays in the West African nation.

“Any incoming traveller to Nigeria who does not reside in the country should complete a form during this period, pay the applicable fees, and provide relevant documentation before entering Nigeria,” Mr Olumofin said, recommending that the government seize the opportunity to generate revenue by imposing a mandatory $500 on Nigerians and foreigners visiting the country between November  25 and January 5.

NiDCOM rejected the recommendation, labelling it “bad advice” that was “exploitative.”

“Such proposal is counter-productive and is all shades of no,” a statement by NiDCOM’s spokesman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said on Tuesday. It noted that the proposed levy would discourage many from visiting the country during that period.

“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 the country for various (sic) and promoting their country positively?” Mr Balogun noted.

NiDCOM affirmed 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.”