A major leadership transition has unfolded at the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development as the outgoing minister, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, handed over to minister of State, Abdullahi Yusuf Atta.
He charged him to deepen ongoing reforms and sustain the momentum in Nigeria’s housing sector.
In an emotional valedictory address, Dangiwa described his tenure as a “rare privilege,” expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the trust reposed in him. He said the ministry, under his watch, laid “strong foundations” for sustainable housing delivery, built on collaboration with industry stakeholders and institutional partners.
The outgoing minister highlighted the resilience of staff and the cooperation of professionals across the built environment, noting that their collective efforts drove key reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit. He urged the workforce to extend the same loyalty and commitment to his successor to ensure continuity.
Dangiwa, widely regarded as the pioneer helmsman of the restructured ministry, said he was leaving office with a deep sense of fulfilment, expressing confidence that the sector would witness “even greater strides” under a new leadership.
Taking the reins, Atta struck a reflective tone, admitting the moment was both sobering and instructive. He described Dangiwa’s exit as a significant loss to the ministry, praising his professionalism, vision and leadership style, which he said left an enduring impact on both staff and stakeholders.
Atta, who acknowledged he came into the ministry without deep professional roots in housing, revealed that he deliberately positioned himself as a “student” under Dangiwa, leveraging the former minister’s experience to navigate the sector.
“With decades of public service behind me, I can say working with him has been one of my most rewarding experiences,” Atta said, adding that the relationship transcended official boundaries and evolved into a strong personal and professional bond.
He promised that the ministry would build on the outgoing minister’s legacy, pledging alignment with the administration’s housing agenda and continued support for the policy direction of President Tinubu.
The new helmsman also hinted that Dangiwa’s expertise would not be lost, disclosing that the former minister would continue to be consulted and invited to contribute to key programmes and initiatives of the ministry.
The handover ceremony, attended by top officials, directors and stakeholders, signalled a critical phase for Nigeria’s housing sector, with expectations high that the new leadership will consolidate reforms and accelerate delivery under the federal government’s urban development drive.
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