The Youth Arise Movement has called on the federal government to allocate the 753 duplexes recently recovered from former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, rather than proceeding with the planned public sale of the properties.
The call comes amid growing concerns over the long-standing accommodation challenges faced by military personnel across the country.
The group insists that using the seized estate to support the welfare of the nation’s security operatives would be both impactful and patriotic.
The properties in question, located in Abuja, were formally handed over by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, on Monday, 20 May 2025.
The EFCC alleges that the estate was developed using proceeds of crime and was thus seized in line with its statutory mandate.
At the brief handover ceremony held at the ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, presented the estate to the Ministry for further administrative action.
In response, Dangiwa commended the anti-graft agency for its asset recovery efforts and disclosed that the ministry would inspect the estate and conduct thorough structural and integrity tests.
He added that the properties would be offered to the public through a transparent process that includes national advertisements and listing on the Renewed Hope housing portal.
However, Convener of the Youth Arise Movement, Ademola Babatunde Abidemi, expressed strong reservations over the proposed sale.
Abidemi argued that allocating the duplexes to armed forces personnel would be a more meaningful use of the recovered assets.
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“Our military men and women have long suffered inadequate housing, despite putting their lives on the line daily for the security and unity of this country. Allocating these 753 duplexes to them would significantly improve their welfare, boost morale, and serve as a historic gesture from a civilian government,” he said.
He questioned the transparency and credibility of the proposed sale, citing past instances where public assets were disposed of under controversial circumstances.
According to him, selling the properties could invite further scandal and potentially prompt new investigations by the EFCC in the future.
“It is only a matter of time before these transactions become mired in corruption allegations. The government can prevent this looming embarrassment by channelling the property directly to the armed forces, perhaps at a subsidised rate deducted from their salaries over time,” he advised.
The group further stated that such a move would align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrate genuine commitment to the welfare of the armed forces.
Abidemi also urged the Minister of Housing and Urban Development to emulate the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, who recently secured presidential approval to construct housing for appellate court justices.
He challenged the ministry to focus more aggressively on its mandate of providing affordable housing for Nigerians.
“The government has no business selling these properties to the highest bidders. This is a golden opportunity to use recovered assets to correct structural inequities within our security sector and build capacity where it is most needed.”