Muttaqha Darma succeeded Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who resigned as Minister of Housing and Urban Development, and President Bola Tinubu swore her in on Friday.
This was revealed in a statement made public on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy.
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Muttaqa Rabe Darma hails from Katsina State in Nigeria and has a background in engineering, academia, and politics. The city of Katsina in the Nigerian state of Katsina was the site of his birth on July 23, 1966.
His previous experience includes roles as an adjunct professor, state commissioner, and Petroleum Technology Development Fund executive secretary. He is presently active in educational leadership and politics.
From Bayero University Kano, he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering; from the same institution, he earned an MBA; and from the University of Benin, he earned a ME in Production.
His academic credentials include a Juris Doctor and a Doctor of Philosophy from universities in the US, UK, and Nigeria.
The ministries of Women’s Affairs, Rural Development, and Works, Housing, and Transport were all within his purview during his time as commissioner in Katsina State.
The federal Petroleum Technology Development Fund appointed him as its executive secretary, while the Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management appointed him to its governing council.
While in office, he improved university curricula, erected the PTDF headquarters, and sent more than 5,000 Nigerians to study oil and gas overseas. He also oversaw the development of polytechnics and research centers.
For many years, he has been involved with politics. In 2023, he ran for several positions, including deputy governor, all as a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
He announced his intention to run for the All Progressives Congress seat in Katsina Central in the 2027 election in 2026.
Dr. Darma started an organization that encourages reading and education called the Pleasant Library and Book Club. He is a patron of student sponsorship programs in Katsina State and the author of more than forty novels.