DARMA: THE MINISTER JUGGLING TWO MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES WITHOUT LOSING FOCUS

The Viewpoint

There is a popular saying that goes, “You won't understand how difficult it is to compose a song until they ask you to come forward and sing.” This perfectly captures the challenges of handling two demanding responsibilities simultaneously. It is easy to admire people who appear to be doing several things at once, but the real difficulty becomes clear only when one finds oneself in such a position. This is particularly relevant to Engineer Muttaqha-Rabe Darma , Nigeria's Minister of Housing and Urban Development, whose responsibilities appear to extend beyond the daily administration of his ministry to include extensive political engagements in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Since assuming office, Darma has been associated with efforts to revitalise the activities of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. His tenure has continued to attract attention through housing-related programmes, project inspections, foundation-laying ceremonies and commissioning activities. The pace of these engagements has contributed to the public visibility of the ministry and its housing delivery agenda. For many observers, the important question is how he manages to maintain attention on the ministry's responsibilities while remaining actively involved in other demanding assignments.

Hardly a day seems to pass without news of another housing-related engagement involving the Minister, whether it is the commencement of a housing project, the inspection of ongoing construction or the commissioning of completed housing facilities. These activities reflect the importance attached to the Federal Government's housing ambitions under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Nigeria faces a substantial housing challenge, and the responsibility of translating government promises into accessible and affordable homes requires continuous attention, coordination and effective supervision. Muttaqa Darma's public engagements have therefore placed housing development firmly within the national conversation.

Beyond managing the ministry, the Minister has demonstrated considerable political commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda. His political activities reflect an interest in supporting the President's programmes, explaining government policies and strengthening political relationships ahead of the 2027 general elections. For him, supporting the administration goes beyond holding a ministerial position; it also involves participating in the political engagements necessary to communicate its agenda and maintain relationships with stakeholders across the country.

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On the political front, Darma has been accompanying Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari, the Special Adviser to the President on Political and Other Matters, to different parts of Nigeria in engagements connected with the President's political support network. This is another demanding assignment, considering the geographical spread of the country, the number of stakeholders involved and the time required for political consultations and mobilisation. Combining such extensive political engagements with the administration of a major federal ministry presents a considerable scheduling and organisational challenge that takes unimaginable courage to maintain.

Yet, what makes Muttaqa Rabe's situation particularly noteworthy is that, he has never publicly appeared to abandon or lose focus on either responsibility. While political engagements require travelling, consultations, meetings and interaction with different categories of stakeholders, ministerial responsibilities demand regular supervision, policy coordination and attention to project implementation. Managing these two important assignments requires considerable organisation and personal commitment. It is a challenge like no other, especially when both responsibilities carry expectations from the Presidency and the Nigerian people.

Interestingly, his engagements are not limited to federal responsibilities and national politics. Engineer Darma also maintains an interest in the welfare and development of his people in Katsina State. One recent example is his sponsorship of 1,000 candidates for the NECO External Examination, an intervention intended to give young people, who missed earlier opportunities, another chance to advance their education. This gesture demonstrates another dimension of his public activities: attention to human development and the educational aspirations of younger generations from his own home State. It also illustrates the additional responsibilities he undertakes beyond his ministerial and political assignments.

Having individuals like Engineer Muttaqa Rabe Darma in public service is an opportunity that should not be taken for granted. His combination of ministerial responsibilities, political engagements and interventions in the lives of ordinary people presents an interesting example of the demands placed on public officeholders. As he continues to serve in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and participate in activities supporting President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, the expectations remain high. What some people describe as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is also a reminder that public service must ultimately be measured by tangible achievements, effective delivery and the positive difference made in people's lives. In this regard, Minister Darma is the "shining example".

#housingproject #APC Prof. Mukhtar El-kasim