The Federal Government has announced its intention to sell the massive Godwin Emefiele’s 753 houses seized from the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor.
This move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to provide affordable housing options for Nigerians. Badamasi Haiba, spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, confirmed the plan during an interview with Punch on Friday.
Haiba disclosed that the properties, currently under construction, will be made available to Nigerians in the low and middle-income brackets.
“The intention of the minister has always been homeownership for all categories of Nigerians. This include low and middle-income earners – so we should expect to see such intentions play out here, all-inclusive,” he said.
Before the sale can begin, Haiba explained that the ministry must first assess the properties thoroughly.
“Next would be to profile the houses and decide how they will be sold to Nigerians,” he added.
This profiling is crucial to determine how the sale process will be structured to achieve the desired inclusivity.
The estate, known as Emefiele’s 753 houses, represents one of the largest properties seized from a public official in Nigeria.
The Federal Government is determined to ensure that these assets are not only recovered but also redistributed to benefit Nigerians.
Haiba emphasised that the ministry’s goal is not to auction off the properties to the highest bidders but to create affordable pathways for homeownership, particularly for those who might otherwise be priced out of the housing market.
In line with this, the government plans to introduce a flexible payment structure, making it easier for prospective homeowners to buy these houses.
Haiba noted that affordability is a central concern for the Ministry of Housing. By incorporating staggered payments and financing options, the government hopes to enable more Nigerians to acquire homes in the estate.
Speaking further, Haiba stated that the sale process would commence once the assessment and the legal frameworks are concluded. He reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to transparency and fairness in the sale of the 753 houses.
This initiative, he said, is not just about recovering assets but also about addressing the pressing housing needs of many Nigerians.
It should be noted that the initiative marks a significant shift in how recovered assets are managed and redistributed. Rather than leaving the properties idle or selling them to wealthy investors, the government intends to ensure that ordinary Nigerians.
This development is expected to generate significant interest among Nigerians who have long faced challenges in acquiring affordable homes.
Ultimately, the sale of Emefiele’s 753 houses is expected to directly benefits more low income Nigerians.
