President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday officially inaugurated Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma as the Minister of Housing and Urban Development. The swearing-in ceremony, held at the State House, follows Dr. Darma’s successful screening and clearance by the Senate.
Dr. Darma, an indigene of Katsina State, takes over the portfolio from Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who recently resigned from the cabinet.
During the brief ceremony, President Tinubu congratulated the new minister, acknowledging the significant weight of the role given the current economic climate.
“You have a very rich and interesting background. As a leader, we need competent hands like yours,” the President stated. “There is no doubt that you have rendered valuable services in all the assignments you have embarked upon; you are a fitting peg in the right position.”
The President further urged Dr. Darma to remain versatile and prepared to serve the administration in any capacity required to drive the nation’s development agenda.
Dr. Muttaqha Darma joins the federal cabinet with an extensive background in engineering, academia, and public administration. His credentials include a PhD in Industrial Engineering (USA) and a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Manufacturing Engineering.
Former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and former Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transport in Katsina State. He most recently served as the President of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Human Development Centre.
Dr. Darma is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Management, and is widely recognized for his published works on governance and development.
The appointment is seen as a strategic move to inject technical expertise into the housing sector as the administration seeks to tackle urban development challenges across the country.
