He served as the Special Advisor on Social Policy at the President's Office at rank of a Minister from 2018 to 2023.

[1] Lutfi served as the Minister of Education from 12 November 2008 until his resignation on 11 December 2010 under the presidency of Mohamed Nasheed.

[2][3] During his time as Minister of Education, he revised the national curriculum, which saw O' level pass rates skyrocket from 27% in 2009 to 46% in 2012.

[4][5] Later on in 2013, he was announced as the running mate of Mohamed Nasheed in the 2013 Maldivian presidential election, where they lost.

[7] In July 2023, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih awarded the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Dhiyamigili Dynasty (ODRDD) to Dr. Lutfi in recognition of his national contributions to the government over a period of more than 34 years and his invaluable contributions to the education sector of the Maldives.