Newly appointed Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Engr Muttaqha Rabe Darma, has called for stronger stakeholder collaboration, signalling a shift toward transparency and pledging an “open-door policy” to drive reform across Nigeria’s housing sector.
The minister stated this during his official assumption of office on Monday, April 27, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement by Badamasi Haiba, Director of Press and Public Relations of the Housing Ministry, Darma, in his maiden address, emphasised that his administration would be anchored on the four pillars of inclusiveness, accountability, innovation, and results.
He invited ideas from all quarters, stressing his readiness to listen to any contribution that aligns with the Ministry’s mandate.
“My doors are open to everyone,” Darma stated. “I am willing to listen to ideas and suggestions from all stakeholders, provided they are aimed at advancing the progress of the Ministry.”
To kickstart his tenure, the Minister announced a series of comprehensive “status review” meetings with heads of Departments and Agencies, professional and regulatory bodies within the housing sector and internal policy and framework auditors.
These engagements are designed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of the Ministry to create an actionable roadmap for improved service delivery.
Urban Renewal and “Slum-to-City” Transformation
A centerpiece of Darma’s agenda is urban renewal. He identified the upgrading of slum areas as a top priority, underscoring the need for deliberate interventions to provide decent, affordable housing for under-served Nigerians.
Beyond physical construction, the Minister’s vision includes:
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Land Reforms: Streamlining land administration to unlock economic value.
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Digitalization: Leveraging the Centralised Lands Repository Management System for efficiency.
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Skills Development: Deepening technical expertise within the local workforce.
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Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Strengthening ties with the private sector to bridge the housing deficit.
A Warning Against Bureaucracy
The Minister issued a stern warning against indiscipline and unnecessary bureaucracy.
While calling for teamwork and dedication, he made it clear that any form of sabotage or bureaucratic bottleneck would be met with zero tolerance. “I am here to work,” he remarked, “and I expect everyone to key into this vision with sincerity.”
Building on a Solid Foundation
Earlier, the Minister of State, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Yusuf Ata, highlighted the Ministry’s recent milestones. Since its re-establishment in 2023, the Ministry has:
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Launched the Renewed Hope Housing Programme across 17 states, creating over 300,000 jobs.
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Advanced major PPP projects in Karsana, Ibeju-Lekki, and Janguza.
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Established building materials manufacturing hubs across all six geopolitical zones.
While acknowledging budgetary delays, Ata noted that a strong pipeline of reforms is already in place to accelerate housing delivery.
Welcoming the new Minister, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, expressed confidence that Engr. Darma’s leadership would catalyze a renewed drive toward excellence and impactful service delivery for all Nigerians.
