
By Ajibola Olarinoye
The Federal Government has finalized plans to sell a large housing estate associated with former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele to low- and middle-income Nigerians.
This extensive property, which consists of 753 housing units, was seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in December 2024.
The EFCC has stated that this is the largest single asset recovery since its establishment in 2003. The estate spans over 150,000 square meters and includes duplexes as well as various types of flats.
The property was recovered following a final forfeiture order issued on December 2, 2024, by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. Court documents submitted by the EFCC have linked the estate to Emefiele.
In April 2025, Emefiele filed a petition with the FCT High Court in an attempt to reclaim the estate, which had already been forfeited to the government. He accused the EFCC of intentionally hiding the forfeiture proceedings from him, despite his regular communications with the agency about other ongoing charges. However, the court dismissed his application.
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede officially transferred 753 housing units to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa. According to The PUNCH, Badamasi Haiba, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Housing, stated that the government, in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to ensure that ordinary Nigerians benefit from this initiative.
Organised Labour is in a precarious situation as the government infringes on workers’ rights. Concerns about Western influence and visa restrictions are driving an exodus of students seeking education abroad.
“The next step will be to assess the houses and determine how they will be sold to Nigerians. The minister’s goal has always been to promote homeownership for all Nigerians, including those from low and middle-income backgrounds.”
He stated that the ministry will utilize its online portal for selling the houses, assuring that payment options will be flexible. He explained, “Homes sold by the ministry will always offer various payment methods, including mortgage, installment, and rent-to-own options, regardless of the situation.”
He added, “These 753 units are just a small part of the over 10,000 houses nearing completion across the country as part of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.”
The ministry has created a web portal for these sales, which can be accessed at renewedhopehomes.fmhud.gov.ng.
