President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday swore in Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma as Nigeria’s new Minister of Housing and Urban Development following his confirmation by the Senate.
Dr. Darma, who hails from Katsina State, replaces Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who recently stepped down from the position.
The brief swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja, where the president congratulated the new minister and described his appointment as coming at a critical period in the country’s development.
Tinubu noted that Darma’s extensive professional background makes him well-suited for the role, emphasizing the need for capable leadership in driving national development efforts. He also urged the new minister to remain ready to serve the country in any capacity when called upon.
Dr. Darma is an accomplished scholar and development expert with a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Atlantic International University.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University Kano and later earned a master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Benin.
A member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Management, Darma previously served as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund between 2008 and 2012.
He has also held several key positions in Katsina State, including Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, as well as Commissioner for Rural and Social Development. In addition, he has contributed to academia as a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, and has published widely on governance and development issues.
Before his appointment, Dr. Darma served as President of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Human Development Centre.
The swearing-in was announced in a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on April 24, 2026.
