President Bola Tinubu has nominated Muttaqha Darma as Minister-designate for the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, following a recent cabinet reshuffle.
The nomination, which is subject to Senate confirmation, comes as part of broader efforts by the administration to reposition key sectors of the economy, including housing and infrastructure.
Darma, a trained mechanical engineer, holds a degree from Bayero University Kano and is widely regarded as a technocrat with a blend of academic and public sector experience.
Before his nomination, he built a career spanning academia, governance, and development administration, including lecturing in engineering and participating in policy implementation across multiple sectors.
His public service experience dates back to his time in Katsina State, where he served under the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in various capacities, including roles linked to works, housing, rural development, transport, and women affairs.
At the federal level, Darma served as Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, where he oversaw scholarship programmes, capacity development, and institutional strengthening initiatives within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
His nomination is seen by analysts as aligning with his background in infrastructure and development planning, particularly at a time when the government is under pressure to scale up housing delivery and address Nigeria’s housing deficit.
Beyond his administrative experience, Darma has also maintained an active political profile, with ties to northern political structures and past involvement in electoral politics.
He was previously associated with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Katsina State but later aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), under which he has expressed interest in contesting the Katsina Central Senatorial seat in 2027.
Observers say his appointment signals a possible shift toward technocratic leadership in the housing ministry, with expectations that he will focus on strengthening policy execution, improving housing finance systems, and addressing land administration challenges.
His emergence comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s housing sector, where demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly in urban centres.
As the Senate prepares to screen ministerial nominees, attention will be on Darma’s plans to build on existing reforms and deliver measurable outcomes in housing development nationwide.
