From Seized Mansions to Social Homes: HDAN Urges FG to Turn Corruption Into Shelter
What if seized luxury estates became homes for struggling families instead of cash for the highest bidder? That’s the vision the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has proposed and it’s making waves.
Following a high-profile inspection by Housing Minister Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa and EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, HDAN, have called on the Federal Government to convert the recently confiscated estate into a public rental housing project.
Rather than auctioning off the high-value villas, HDAN suggests a transformation into 1- and 2-bedroom affordable rental units, prioritizing young Nigerians and low-income earners. “This is a golden opportunity to turn a seized asset into a national solution,” said HDAN Executive Director Festus Adebayo.
The proposal includes a bold, transparent allocation method: a public digital raffle. Nigerians would buy tickets tied to their BVN for N10,000 each, with winners selected live possibly by the housing minister himself. If a million people participate, HDAN estimates it could raise N10 billion enough to fund the estate’s remodeling without dipping into public funds.
Rents would be set at roughly half of market rates, and managed by the Federal Housing Authority to ensure sustainability. The plan aims to deliver 2,000 rental units, offering real relief in a housing market notorious for its shortages and high costs.
“This is not just about homes,” Adebayo emphasized. “It’s about restoring trust in public institutions, turning the aftermath of corruption into a new beginning for those most in need.”
If adopted, the plan could mark a transformative shift in how Nigeria repurposes recovered assets from symbols of greed to pillars of social equity.
