Tinubu inaugurates new housing minister

President Bola Tinubu has administered the oath of office to Dr Muttaqha Darma as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

The swearing in ceremony held at the President’s Conference Room in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at a few minutes to 04:00 p.m.

Darma, a former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday following a screening exercise conducted on the floor of the chamber, a day after Tinubu forwarded his nomination in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

During his screening, Darma pledged to work closely with the National Assembly to address the country’s housing deficit, noting that more than 100 million Nigerians are affected by inadequate housing.

He outlined reforms aimed at improving leadership, expanding access to affordable housing and strengthening institutions in the sector.

Darma succeeds Ahmed Dangiwa, whose exit was part of a minor Federal Executive Council reshuffle announced by the Presidency on Tuesday.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the changes were “aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Dangiwa formally handed over the affairs of the ministry on Thursday, in compliance with a directive from the SGF’s office that the process be concluded before close of business that day.

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