The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Muttaqha Darma as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following his screening in plenary.
Darma, who was nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was cleared after responding to lawmakers’ questions on his competence, policy direction, and strategies to address Nigeria’s housing crisis.
During the screening, the minister-designate pledged to work closely with the National Assembly to tackle the country’s significant housing deficit. He outlined plans focused on strengthening leadership, expanding access to affordable housing, and improving institutional capacity within the sector.
According to him, bridging what he described as a leadership gap is critical to enhancing housing delivery nationwide.
“We will work together with the National Assembly to ensure that the challenge of housing is addressed,” he said.
Darma noted that over 100 million Nigerians are affected by inadequate housing, stressing the need to make homes more accessible, particularly for low- and middle-income earners.
He also highlighted the importance of governance and accountability, stating that reforms would target both public institutions and private sector participation in real estate development.
Responding to concerns raised by Adams Oshiomhole, Darma acknowledged the scale of the housing deficit but expressed confidence that it could be addressed with the right policies.
“I believe everything is possible. I will do everything within my capacity to close the gaps and improve the situation,” he said.
Drawing from his experience as former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, he assured lawmakers of his readiness to reposition the ministry for measurable results.
On insecurity, Darma said he would support efforts to stabilise communities, noting that safety is essential for sustainable housing development. He also addressed urban planning concerns in Abuja, promising attention to restoring the city’s master plan.
The confirmation followed earlier proceedings in which Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the President’s request and referred it to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
A trained engineer with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bayero University Kano, Darma is expected to bring technical expertise to a ministry central to addressing Nigeria’s housing and urban infrastructure challenges.
His nomination had previously sparked debate due to his political history as a former deputy governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, from which he was expelled after endorsing All Progressives Congress candidate Dikko Radda during the 2023 elections.
Despite the controversy, his confirmation is seen as part of the administration’s broader push to deploy technocrats to key infrastructure sectors, particularly housing, where demand continues to outpace supply across major urban centres.
