In a historic gesture of recognition, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially fulfilled a 31-year-old promise by allocating houses to members of the victorious 1994 Super Eagles team that won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia.
The long-awaited fulfillment was announced via a statement on the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s website on Wednesday.
Former Super Eagles striker Efan Ekoku was among the first recipients. Although unable to attend the ceremony personally, his niece, Lisa Jenifer Nwagbogun, received the official allocation letter on his behalf during a brief handover event in Abuja.
The presentation was made by Pemi Temitope, Director and Head of Public Building and Housing Development, who represented the Minister of Housing and Urban Development. Temitope noted that the move reflects the government’s commitment to rewarding patriotic service and honouring national sports heroes.
“This gesture not only honours Mr. Efan Ekoku’s service,” said Nwagbogun, “but also restores faith in the integrity of public promises. I’m deeply grateful to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Housing for seeing this through.”
The journey to this moment began in 1994 when the team was promised houses by the government. However, it wasn’t until 2022—under former President Muhammadu Buhari—that the directive for implementation was approved, nearly three decades later.
Now, housing allocations are being processed for other members of the 1994 squad across various states, with some, like Ekoku, receiving theirs in Abuja.
