On July 24, 2025, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda was unanimously elected by the National Executive Committee to lead the All Progressives Congress (APC). He steps into the role following the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
New Daily Prime highlights things you need to know about the new APC Chairman.
10 things to know Yilwatda
1. Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, he comes from a Christian family rooted in service. His parents, the late Reverend and Mrs. Toma Yilwatda, laid the foundation for a life of integrity and impact.
2. He earned a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, followed by a Master’s at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and a PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
3. Appointed in October 2024, Yilwatda has been at the helm of one of Nigeria’s most people-centred ministries, designing interventions to reduce poverty and uplift vulnerable communities nationwide.
4. A former lecturer and long-serving ICT Director at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, he spent over a decade modernising digital systems in higher education.
5. A Christian with deep personal values, Prof. Yilwatda is married to Dr. Martina Goshwe.
6. With nearly 30 years of consulting experience, Yilwatda has worked across sectors, with international development partners, government agencies, and the private sector, on projects focused on governance, systems design, and community development.
7. From 2017 to 2021, he served as the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State, where he earned a reputation for fairness, transparency, and professionalism.
8. He completed advanced training in e-governance at the United Nations University in Macau, China.
9. In the last general election, he was the APC Governorship Candidate for Plateau State. Though he didn’t win, the campaign boosted his political profile.
10. Before his chairmanship position, he was the Humanitarian minister under the Bola Tinubu administration
