Who is Muttaqha Darma,Tinubu’s New Housing Minister?

​ABUJA — Following the major cabinet shake-up announced on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu has signaled a shift toward technical expertise in the infrastructure sector with the nomination of Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma as the Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.

​Darma, who is set to replace Ahmed Dangiwa, brings a blend of academic rigor and deep administrative experience to the “Renewed Hope” cabinet. As he awaits Senate confirmation, stakeholders in the housing sector are already eyeing his track record for clues on how he will tackle Nigeria’s daunting housing deficit.

​Here are seven defining facts about the man tasked with reimagining Nigeria’s urban landscape:

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​1. An Engineer by Training

​Darma is a seasoned Mechanical Engineer, having earned his degree from Bayero University, Kano (BUK). His foundation in engineering is expected to be a critical asset in supervising large-scale construction projects and urban renewal initiatives.

​2. Academic Roots

​Before his foray into full-time public service, Darma was a respected academic. He served as a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at BUK, where he was known for his research-driven approach to development and infrastructure.

​3. A Veteran of State Governance

​His experience in housing is not theoretical. In Katsina State, under the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (then Governor), Darma served as a Commissioner across several key portfolios, including Works and Housing, Rural Development, and Transport. This grassroots experience gives him a practical understanding of state-federal synergy in infrastructure delivery.

​4. Former Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Boss

​At the federal level, Darma is best remembered for his tenure as the Executive Secretary and CEO of the PTDF. During his time there, he oversaw massive capacity-building programs and scholarships aimed at domesticating technology in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector—skills in institutional management he now brings to the Housing Ministry.

​5. Political Alliances and Controversy

​Darma has long been associated with the Yar’Adua political family. However, his political journey has seen recent shifts. In 2023, he was the Deputy Governorship candidate for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Katsina. In a twist that made national headlines, he was expelled from the party after endorsing the APC’s Dikko Radda—a move that eventually cemented his alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress.

​6. A Vision for 2027

​The Minister-designate is not shy about his political aspirations. He recently declared his intention to contest the Katsina Central Senatorial seat under the APC in 2027. His performance in the Housing Ministry will likely serve as a major litmus test for his legislative ambitions.

​7. Technocratic Reputation

​Widely regarded as a “political technocrat,” Darma’s appointment suggests that President Tinubu is prioritizing individuals who can navigate the complexities of civil service bureaucracy while maintaining the technical oversight required for urban planning and development.

​Pending his confirmation by the Senate, Darma is expected to hit the ground running, with the Presidency mandating a swift handover process to be concluded by Thursday, April 23, 2026.