Minister vows to tackle Nigeria’s housing deficit

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma as the new Minister of Housing and Urban Development, charging him with addressing Nigeria’s growing housing challenges.

Darma, who hails from Katsina State, takes over from Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who recently stepped down. His appointment comes at a time when Nigeria faces an estimated housing deficit of 20 million units, affecting more than 100 million people nationwide.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at the State House, Tinubu described Darma as well-suited for the role, citing his experience and track record.

“You have a rich and impressive background. We need capable hands like yours in leadership. You have consistently delivered in previous roles, and I believe you are the right person for this position,” the President said, urging him to remain committed to national service.

Darma, an academic and development expert, holds a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Atlantic International University in the United States.

In his remarks after taking the oath of office, the new minister acknowledged the weight of his responsibilities and pledged to bring innovation and strategic thinking to the sector.

“I see this as a serious responsibility. My performance will be judged by myself, those around me, the public, and ultimately by God. I am committed to doing my best, and Nigerians will begin to see results soon,” he said.

He admitted the scale of the housing crisis is daunting, noting that even an ambitious plan to build millions of homes over a decade would require significant resources and effort.

Despite this, Darma expressed confidence in adopting a forward-looking, reform-driven approach to expand housing access across the country.

“We are focused and strategic. We will introduce innovation and creativity to ensure that more Nigerians have access to decent housing,” he added.

On funding, a long-standing challenge in the housing sector, the minister said he would first assess the ministry’s internal issues before outlining concrete solutions.

“I need to fully understand the challenges within the ministry. Once that is clear, we will develop effective ways to address them,” he said.

Darma also questioned why government housing projects often fail to attract buyers, unlike private developments that continue to thrive.

“Private developers are building and selling houses successfully, yet many government-owned properties are left abandoned. That suggests there are underlying issues that need to be addressed,” he noted.

He added that the success and profitability of private real estate ventures highlight structural weaknesses in public housing delivery, which his administration aims to reform.