FG Opens Emefiele-Linked Housing Estate for Low, Middle-Income Nigerians
The Nigerian government has finalised plans to offer a large housing estate, previously connected to former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, for purchase by citizens in lower and middle-income brackets.
The expansive residential complex, comprising 753 individual housing units, came into government possession through Economic and Financial Crimes Commission action in December 2024. EFCC officials describe this acquisition as their most significant single asset recovery operation since the commission’s establishment over two decades ago. The development spans more than 150,000 square metres and features various residential structures, including duplexes and apartment units.
Government acquisition of the property followed a final forfeiture ruling delivered on December 2, 2024, by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Legal documentation submitted by the EFCC established connections between the residential development and Emefiele.
In April 2025, Emefiele filed a court application seeking to recover the housing estate despite its previous forfeiture to federal authorities. His legal challenge alleged that the EFCC intentionally excluded him from forfeiture proceedings, despite ongoing communication between his representatives and the commission regarding separate criminal charges. The court rejected his application.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede formally transferred custody of the 753-unit development to Housing and Urban Development Minister Ahmed Dangiwa on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Speaking to media outlets, the Housing Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Badamasi Haiba, confirmed that the administration intends to align the distribution of these properties with President Bola Tinubu’s policy objectives for broader citizen access to homeownership.
Haiba explained that construction work remains incomplete on the estate, requiring the ministry to first conduct comprehensive structural evaluations and integrity assessments before establishing final distribution procedures.
“Next would be to profile the houses and decide how they will be sold to Nigerians. However, the intention of the minister has always been homeownership for all categories of Nigerians, including low and middle-income earners – so we should expect to see such intentions play out here, all-inclusive,” Haiba stated.
Regarding the sales mechanism, he indicated that the ministry’s existing digital platform would handle transactions, with multiple payment arrangements available to buyers.
“Homes sold by the ministry will always have flexible payment options, including mortgage, instalment, rent-to-own payment, etc., whether in this case or any other,” he explained.
The ministry official emphasised that this particular development represents only a fraction of the government’s broader housing initiatives. “These are just 753 units. The ministry has over 10,000 houses nearing completion nationwide under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.”
He outlined the digital sales process, referencing the ministry’s web-based platform. “The ministry has a web portal developed where sales of these houses are done – renewedhopehomes.fmhud.gov.ng. The minister has already stated that the same process will be adopted in selling these confiscated houses.”
When questioned about timeline for opening applications to interested citizens, Haiba noted construction completion as a prerequisite. “The Housing Ministry will first complete the houses. Construction was ongoing before the recovery by the EFCC.”
He addressed concerns about potential favouritism in the allocation process, rejecting suggestions that properties might be reserved for politically connected individuals.
“People will always speculate, maybe due to experiences from years ago. The present Renewed Hope administration is doing something different in promoting transparency and accountability,” Haiba responded.
He detailed the ministry’s approach to ensuring equitable access through digital processes. “I can only tell you what the ministry is doing. With the renewedhopehomes.fmhud.gov.ng portal, the ministry has cut off human interference to ensure that the sales process is transparent and all-inclusive.”
The online system enables comprehensive remote access for potential buyers. “Any Nigerian can sit in their home, log onto the portal, browse through the different types of units and locations, select the house they want, select a payment option, submit their application, and get an offer letter right there and then,” he concluded.
