Meet Muttaqha Darma, Nigeria’s new housing minister

In Nigeria, politics has a way of catapulting people, men and women, from obscure corners to the public arena and to positions of influence. This is part of the Muttaqha Darma story.

Darma, a technocrat, is Nigeria’s new minister for housing and urban development, coming in to fill the void left by Ahmed Dangiwa, who had been occupying that position since the inception of the Tinubu administration in 2023, but lost out in a minor cabinet reshuffle.

The new minister, who was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, April 23, 2026, hails from Katsina State. He is a former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). He is a trained engineer, an academic, and a public administrator. All these he is bringing to tackle Nigeria’s housing deficit.

Darma’s background is in education. He holds multiple degrees, including a PhD. Before his appointment, he served as the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and also worked as a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano.

The new minister is not new to housing, having previously served as a Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, which is why expectations are high that he will deliver.

During his screening by the Senate, Darma assured that he would prioritize affordable housing, reduce the gap between private developer gains and public welfare, and address urban planning challenges.

His appointment is seen, in some quarters, as the return of a technocrat for the future of housing in Nigeria. Within these quarters, it is believed that his emergence as Nigeria’s minister of housing and urban development is not merely a political decision but a strategic alignment of responsibility with competence.

For those who know him very well, Darma’s journey into national prominence is not defined by noise, but by substance. His story is that of a man shaped by discipline, refined through technical expertise, and tested across multiple layers of governance.

From the lecture halls of Bayero University Kano, where he nurtured young minds as a Mechanical Engineering lecturer, to the demanding terrain of public administration, his career reflects a consistent pattern—quiet diligence, intellectual depth, and a commitment to meaningful impact.

Darma’s tenure as Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transport stands out most profoundly. In that role, he was not content with occupying office—he immersed himself in the demands of the sector. He approached infrastructure not as an abstract policy, but as a lived necessity for the people.

Roads were not just projects; they were lifelines for commerce and connectivity. Housing was not just a statistic; it was dignity, stability, and social security. Transportation systems were not merely logistical concerns; they were enablers of economic activity.

Those who observed his work during this period consistently speak of a commissioner who was deeply engaged, attentive to detail, and relentless in execution. He emphasized quality, durability, and efficiency, ensuring that projects were not only initiated but completed to standard.

It is hoped that he will bring these experiences and virtues to bear in his new assignment.