Abuja, Nigeria – In a strategic move to boost affordable housing and reclaim public trust, the Federal Government has inaugurated a ministerial committee to spearhead the development and transparent allocation of 753 duplexes recovered from the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who is currently facing fraud allegations.
The vast housing estate, located in the Lokogoma District of Abuja, was recently handed over to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following a presidential directive aimed at repurposing recovered assets for public good.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, officially inaugurated the 12-member panel on Monday, highlighting the critical role the estate will play in fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This committee was set up to actualise the President’s vision and ensure that this recovered estate becomes a symbol of hope—providing liveable, secure, and affordable homes to everyday Nigerians,” said Dangiwa.
The committee, chaired by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, consists of senior officials from technical, engineering, procurement, financial, planning, and media departments. Dangiwa urged members to eliminate bureaucratic delays and deliver results with utmost transparency and professionalism.
“Nigerians are watching. They want to see homes built, completed, and allocated without bias. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that government works for the people,” he added, encouraging the team to think creatively and act swiftly.
Committee’s Mandate: The panel’s responsibilities include:
Conducting a full structural and integrity assessment of the housing units
Determining the number and current condition of the duplexes
Estimating costs for completing infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water supply
Establishing uniform architectural finishing standards
Proposing a fair and transparent allocation model via the Renewed Hope Housing Portal
Engaging the public to build trust and confidence in the process
In addition, the committee is expected to collaborate closely with key stakeholders including the EFCC, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, and utility providers to ensure smooth execution. A preliminary report is expected within four weeks.
Minister of State for Housing, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, emphasized the importance of collaboration and encouraged the committee to bring in external experts if necessary.
Permanent Secretary Belgore reassured the public that the team would approach the assignment with “diligence and professionalism,” adding, “This initiative will serve as a model for how recovered public assets can be transformed into infrastructure that positively impacts citizens.”
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