The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has urged the Federal Government to repurpose the 753 duplexes seized from former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele into affordable rental housing. HDAN’s Executive Director, Festus Adebayo, proposes converting the estate into 1- and 2-bedroom units, potentially providing up to 2,000 rental homes for low-income families and young Nigerians.
To ensure transparency and accessibility, HDAN suggests a digital raffle system for tenant selection, where interested individuals purchase tickets linked to their Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs). Proceeds from the raffle, estimated at up to ₦10 billion if one million Nigerians participate, would fund the estate’s renovation, making the project self-sustaining.
Adebayo emphasizes that this initiative would set a precedent for utilizing recovered assets for public good, transforming a forfeited property into a sustainable social housing model. He calls on the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other stakeholders to consider this proposal seriously.
The estate, located in Abuja and measuring 150,500 square meters, was handed over to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, by the EFCC in December 2024.
HDAN’s proposal aims to address Nigeria’s significant housing deficit by providing affordable rental options and promoting transparency in the allocation process. The organization advocates for the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to manage the estate, ensuring long-term sustainability and maintenance.
