Tinubu swears in Muttaqha Rabe Darma as Housing Minister

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Dr Muttaqha Rabe Darma as the new Minister of Housing and Urban Development at the State House on Friday.

The development was disclosed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The swearing-in followed Dr Darma’s confirmation by the Senate and his subsequent designation as minister, coming days after he was named to replace Ahmed Musa Dangiwa as head of the housing ministry in a cabinet reshuffle.

What they are saying 
President Tinubu said the appointment comes at a critical period for national development, stressing that the housing sector requires experienced leadership to drive ongoing reforms and deliver on government priorities.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday administered the oath of office to Dr Muttaqha Rabe Darma as the new minister of housing and urban development from Katsina State, following his Senate clearance.” 
“He replaced Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who recently resigned.” 

The President also commended Dr Darma’s professional background, describing him as someone with a track record of value delivery across public service and development administration.

He further urged him to remain ready to serve in any capacity assigned within the administration.

More insights 
Dr Darma brings extensive academic and professional experience spanning engineering, business, governance, and development administration.

He holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Atlantic International University.

He also obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a qualification in Business Administration from Bayero University, Kano.
His public service career includes serving as Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) from 2008 to 2012. He also served as Commissioner in Katsina State between 2003 and 2007, overseeing portfolios such as Works, Housing and Transport, as well as Rural and Social Development.
Beyond government service, he has worked in academia and development-focused leadership roles, including lecturing at Bayero University, Kano, and serving as President of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Human Development Centre in Katsina.

He also has private sector experience, including involvement with Coshcaris Group Limited and leadership of Pleasant Investment since 2012, with interests in oil, gas, and energy-related ventures.

What you should know 
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is currently implementing major initiatives under the Renewed Hope Estates and Cities programme, aimed at delivering 100,000 housing units nationwide.

The scheme operates through two main models: the Estates programme, which is funded through government budgetary allocations with subsidised infrastructure and state-provided land, and the Cities programme, executed through public-private partnerships where private developers finance construction and infrastructure delivery.
The ministry is also advancing a nationwide land formalisation project in partnership with the World Bank, launched in September 2024, aimed at digitising land records and improving land administration transparency.
The project is designed to reduce inefficiencies and unlock an estimated $300 billion in dormant land value by bringing property assets into the formal economy.

However, implementation updates have remained limited since its announcement, while millions of land assets across the country remain undocumented, restricting access to credit and investment opportunities.

If effectively executed, these reforms are expected to significantly reshape Nigeria’s housing delivery and land administration system

Caleb Obiowo

Caleb Obiowo is a graduate of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo. At Nairametrics, he covers transport and logistics in Nigeria, along with real estate, construction, and aviation. He focuses on delivering clear, easy-to-understand stories and often digs deeper into industry issues through conversations with key players.