President Bola Tinubu on Friday swore in Dr Muttaqha Rabe Darma as the new Minister of Housing and Urban Development following his confirmation by the Senate.
Darma, who hails from Katsina State, replaces Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who recently stepped down from the Federal Executive Council.
The brief swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Welcoming the new minister, Tinubu described his appointment as coming at a critical period in the country’s development journey, urging him to deploy his experience and capacity to the housing sector.
“You have a very rich background. We need competent hands like yours at this time. You have served in various capacities and distinguished yourself. You are a fitting peg in the right position,” the President said.
Tinubu further advised him to remain ready for any national assignment, stressing the administration’s expectation of performance-driven leadership.
Dr Darma is a scholar and administrator with extensive experience in governance and development. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Atlantic International University, United States.
He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University, Kano, and 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 political appointments in Katsina State, including Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, as well as Commissioner for Rural and Social Development.
Beyond public service, he has contributed to academia as a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, and has published works on governance and development.
Before his appointment, he was President of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Human Development Centre in Katsina.
