The Senate of Nigeria on Thursday commenced the screening of President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial nominee for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Federal Executive Council.

Darma was ushered into the Senate chamber at about 12:32 pm, where he appeared before lawmakers for the constitutionally required screening exercise.

As of the time of filing this report, senators had begun questioning the nominee on his qualifications, policy direction, and preparedness to oversee the housing sector, which remains central to Nigeria’s infrastructure and urban development challenges.

The screening follows a formal request sent by President Tinubu to the upper chamber on Wednesday, seeking confirmation of Darma as minister. The request was read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

Darma, a mechanical engineer and graduate of Bayero University Kano, is expected to bring technical expertise to a ministry tasked with addressing Nigeria’s growing housing deficit and rapid urbanisation pressures.

However, his political background has drawn attention. During the 2023 general elections, Darma served as deputy governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party before being expelled from the party after endorsing an opposing candidate in what the party described as an unauthorised action.

Despite that controversy, his nomination is viewed in some quarters as part of the administration’s broader strategy to place technocrats in key infrastructure-related ministries.

The Senate is expected to conclude the screening process and make a decision on his confirmation in the coming days.