.....Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Emerges APC National Chairman: A Blend of Engineering Expertise and Political Acumen
By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as its new National Chairman, marking a significant moment in the party’s leadership structure and signaling a potential shift toward technocratic precision in political administration.
Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, Prof. Yilwatda is a seasoned engineer, academic, and development consultant with a track record spanning nearly three decades. The announcement of his appointment on July 24, 2025, was received with widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape, with party insiders praising his vast administrative experience and deep-rooted understanding of national issues.
A son of the late Reverend and Mrs. Toma Yilwatda, the new APC helmsman earned his B.Sc. in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi in 1992. He went on to obtain a Master’s degree from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and a PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Yilwatda began his career as a lecturer and community development expert at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he later served as Director of ICT for 12 years. He has worked extensively as a consultant for various international development agencies and both public and private sector institutions, garnering over 29 years of professional experience.
Between July 2017 and December 2021, he served as the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where he was noted for administrative transparency and electoral reforms. His transition into mainstream politics gained momentum when he became the APC governorship candidate in Plateau State during the 2023 elections.
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Though he did not emerge victorious in the polls, his political stature rose significantly, leading to his appointment as the State Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation in the build-up to the 2023 general elections. Recognizing his strategic value, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in October 2024 — a role in which he championed social welfare programs targeted at alleviating extreme poverty across vulnerable communities.
With his emergence as National Chairman, party stakeholders believe that Prof. Yilwatda brings a new brand of leadership defined by intellect, structure, and a results-driven philosophy.
Speaking shortly after his inauguration at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, Yilwatda promised to steer the party toward internal unity and ideological focus. “Our task is to build bridges within and beyond the party, deepen democratic values, and support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu with discipline and innovation,” he said.
Political analysts suggest that his academic background and technocratic orientation may help in repositioning the ruling party ahead of future elections. Whether this intellectual transition at the helm of party affairs will yield sustainable reforms remains a matter of interest for both supporters and critics.
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For many Nigerians, however, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda’s journey from the lecture halls of Makurdi to the commanding heights of party politics is a testament to the evolving interface between knowledge and governance.
