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The Youth Arise Movement (YAM) has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to halt its proposed sale of 753 duplexes recovered from the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
In a press statement signed by its Convener, Comrade Ademola Babatunde Abidemi, the group appealed to the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa, to instead allocate the high-value properties to members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
The duplexes, part of a housing estate reportedly acquired through proceeds of financial crimes, were officially handed over to the Ministry of Housing by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on May 20, 2025, during a formal ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, made the presentation in line with the Commission’s mandate to recover and return assets linked to corruption. Minister Dangiwa, while receiving the estate, lauded the EFCC’s dedication to asset recovery and announced plans to conduct a structural integrity assessment of the buildings. Following this evaluation, the Ministry intends to put the duplexes up for public sale through the Renewed Hope housing portal, where interested Nigerians can apply.
However, YAM strongly opposes this plan, warning that the public sale could open the door to corruption and mismanagement. Instead, the group advocates for the direct allocation of the properties to military personnel, citing the long-standing accommodation challenges faced by soldiers.
“It is my respectful opinion that rather than selling the duplexes, the government should allocate them to the brave men in the armed forces,” Abidemi stated. “Many of them have suffered from accommodation shortages for years. Providing them with these homes will not only ease their hardship but will also significantly boost their morale and operational efficiency.”
YAM emphasized that such a move would not only address a critical housing need but also serve as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the sacrifices of the country’s military forces.
The group also questioned the integrity of the proposed sales process, citing past cases where the disposal of public assets was marred by bribery, favouritism, and fraudulent allocations. Abidemi expressed concern that another cycle of corruption might follow if caution is not exercised.
“On hindsight, I am apprehensive about the touted transparency in this proposed sale. Given the history of fraud and exploitation in similar past exercises, it is only a matter of time before the EFCC might again be called upon to investigate another round of asset mismanagement,” he warned.
Calling on President Bola Tinubu to align this matter with his Renewed Hope Agenda, Abidemi said allocating the homes to uniformed personnel—potentially at subsidised rates with gradual salary deductions—would be a historic policy shift and a milestone for national security reform.
“This will be the first time in the history of this country that a civilian President has made such a bold move for the benefit of our uniformed personnel,” he said. “It will send a strong message of appreciation and recognition to the people who defend our nation.”
Beyond this specific appeal, YAM urged the Ministry to intensify broader efforts to make housing affordable for ordinary Nigerians and to avoid pitfalls that could result in what it called “an impending monumental embezzlement and embarrassment.”
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