Tinubu Swears in New Housing Minister; Details Emerge

Muttaqha Darma has officially been appointed as the Minister of Housing and Urban Development following his recent approval by the Senate.

He replaces Ahmed Dangiwa, who has resigned from the position. President Bola Tinubu conducted the swearing-in ceremony at the State House on Friday, marking Darma’s entry into the cabinet. Darma hails from Katsina State.

President Tinubu, at the short ceremony at the State House, congratulated the new minister for coming on board at this “very challenging time of national development”.

“You have a very rich and interesting background. As a leader, we need competent hands like yours.

“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,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

The President told Darma to be ready to serve in any capacity in which he is called upon.

“Dr Darma is a distinguished Nigerian scholar, administrator, and development expert who holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Atlantic International University, USA.

“He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano, and later earned a Master’s in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Benin.

“A member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Management, Dr Darma served as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund from 2008 to 2012. Thereafter, he held key positions, including Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, and Commissioner for Rural and Social Development in Katsina State, among others.

“He has also contributed to academia as a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano. He is widely published in the areas of governance and development. Before this appointment, he was the President of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Human Development Centre in Katsina,” the statement added.