National News – Nigeria’s Senate on Thursday opened deliberations on a fresh ministerial nominee as President Bola Tinubu seeks to strengthen his cabinet, with engineer Muttaqha Darma stepping forward for scrutiny over his proposed leadership of the housing sector.

The exercise, which began shortly after noon inside the National Assembly, saw lawmakers question the nominee’s credentials, experience, and policy direction in a sector burdened by widening deficits and rapid urban expansion.

The session, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, followed the President’s formal request transmitted a day earlier.

Darma, who holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Bayero University Kano, is being considered to head the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development at a time when millions of Nigerians face affordability and access challenges in major cities.

Beyond qualifications, the screening quietly reopened political debates around Darma’s past.

His controversial exit from the New Nigeria People’s Party after backing an APC governorship candidate in 2023 continues to stir mixed reactions.

While some lawmakers appeared focused on competence, others hinted at concerns over political loyalty and ideological consistency.

Across policy circles and within urban communities, reactions have been measured but expectant.

Housing advocates in cities like Lagos and Abuja say the real test will not be Senate confirmation but the nominee’s ability to translate technical expertise into scalable housing solutions.

Nigeria’s estimated housing deficit—often placed in the tens of millions—demands more than policy rhetoric; it requires financing innovation, land reforms, and public-private collaboration.

If confirmed, Darma’s tenure could shape how the Tinubu administration addresses urbanisation pressures, slum expansion, and infrastructure gaps.

The coming days will determine whether the Senate prioritises political caution or technocratic promise as it decides on his fate.