753-Unit Housing Estate Seized From Emefiele Nears Completion, Set To Benefit Nigerians.
The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has announced that a sprawling 753-unit estate, previously linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, is nearing completion. The estate, recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of anti-corruption efforts, is poised to provide affordable homes for low- and middle-income Nigerians, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The estate, located in the Lokogoma District of Abuja, spans over 150,000 square metres and comprises duplexes and apartments. It was formally handed over to the Ministry by the EFCC on 20 May 2025, following a court-ordered forfeiture in December 2024. Since then, the Ministry has been working diligently to complete the project, ensuring it meets safety and habitability standards.
In a statement released on Monday, 23 June 2025, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Badamasi Haiba, confirmed that an internal committee tasked with reviewing the project is finalising its report. “The committee’s work is nearly complete, and we are confident that this estate will soon be ready to serve the Nigerian people,” Haiba said. The report will outline the structural integrity of the buildings, infrastructure requirements, and a transparent strategy for the estate’s disposal.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, who inspected the site alongside EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede in May, praised the agency’s commitment to recovering public assets. “This estate represents a milestone in our fight against corruption and our determination to redirect recovered assets for the benefit of ordinary Nigerians,” Dangiwa stated. He assured citizens that the sale process would be open, competitive, and accessible via the Ministry’s Renewed Hope Portal (renewedhopehomes.fmhud.gov.ng), with flexible payment options to ensure inclusivity.
The Ministry has also issued a stern warning against fraudsters exploiting public interest in the estate. Reports indicate that scammers have been soliciting payments of up to N500,000 for fake “Expression of Interest” forms. “No sales process has begun,” Haiba clarified. “We urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and contact the Ministry directly through our Public Building and Housing Development departments or Press and Public Relations unit for accurate information.”
The project has sparked optimism among housing advocates, though some have called for the estate to be converted into rental social housing for the less privileged. The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) suggested a digital raffle system to allocate units fairly, ensuring they do not end up in the hands of wealthy elites.
Despite an appeal by Emefiele to reclaim the estate, which was dismissed by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in April 2025, the government remains committed to transforming this symbol of alleged corruption into a resource for public good. The estate’s completion is expected to reduce Nigeria’s housing deficit while demonstrating the tangible outcomes of anti-corruption efforts.
As the Ministry prepares to announce further details, Nigerians eagerly await the opportunity to own homes in what is described as the largest single asset recovery in EFCC’s history. For now, the Renewed Hope Agenda continues to inspire confidence that these 753 units will soon become homes for families across the nation.
