After three decades of waiting, the Federal Government has finally honoured its housing pledge to members of Nigeria’s 1994 Super Eagles squad, fulfilling a promise made in recognition of their historic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory in Tunisia.
The long-awaited allocation was confirmed in a statement published on the official website of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday.
One of the beneficiaries, former Nigerian international striker Efan Ekoku, was issued an allocation letter for a house in Abuja. Represented by his niece, Lisa Jenifer Nwagbogun, Ekoku’s symbolic handover marked a turning point in the long-standing quest for the federal government to deliver on commitments made to national sports icons.
Presenting the letter on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, the Director and Head of Public Buildings and Housing Development, Pemi Temitope, said the initiative reflects the government’s renewed drive to honour national service and instil confidence in public institutions.
“This gesture is a testament to the government’s commitment to keeping its promises and celebrating the patriotic contributions of our heroes,” Temitope said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nwagbogun expressed gratitude on behalf of the family: “This is a deeply meaningful moment for my uncle and our family. It’s reassuring to see the government honour its word after all these years. This recognition validates the sacrifices made by those who wore the national colours with pride.”
The fulfilment of the housing pledge follows a directive approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 to implement the 1994 commitment, which had gone unfulfilled for nearly three decades.
According to the Housing Ministry, allocation of homes is ongoing for several players from the iconic squad across different states of the federation. For some, like Ekoku, the housing units are located in Abuja.
The 1994 Super Eagles team, widely regarded as one of the greatest in Nigeria’s football history, not only lifted the AFCON trophy in Tunisia but also secured qualification for the country’s debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup the same year.
With this development, the federal government signals a move toward restoring public trust and honouring legacy contributions in national sports history.
