The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has been elected as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made at the 14th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, held on Thursday at the State House Conference Centre Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, nominated him for the position, and the motion was seconded by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.
Yilwatda, a former governorship candidate of the APC in Plateau State, was unanimously endorsed by the NEC, following consultations among party stakeholders and key national figures.
Profile: Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda
Full Name: Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda
Date of Birth: August 8, 1968
Place of Birth: Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State
Age: 59
Family Background: Born into a devout Christian family—the late Reverend and Mrs. Toma Yilwatda
Education
Completed primary education at LGED Primary School, Dungung in 1981
Obtained GCE O‑Levels in 1986 from Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri
Earned a B.Eng. in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (1992)
Completed M.Eng. at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi
PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Attended UN University International Institute for Software Technology, Macau, with focus on e-governance systems
Academic & Professional Career
Began lecturing in 1995 at Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi
Joined the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi in 1996; served over 12 years as Director of ICT
Consultant for UN, World Bank, UNDP, and others on renewable energy, cold‑chain logistics, and ICT projects such as PAWA 774
Public Service
Appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner (Benue State) by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017, served until December 2021
Championed voting reforms for IDPs and persons with disabilities; improved transparency in the electoral process
Political Career
APC gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State during the 2023 general elections
Lost by approximately 4% margin to PDP’s Caleb Mutfwang; legal challenge upheld by the Supreme Court
Served as Plateau State Coordinator for the Tinubu‑Shettima Presidential Campaign
Ministerial Appointment
Appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction by President Bola Tinubu in October 2024
Personal & Community Engagement
Registered engineer with COREN; member of IEEE, Nigerian Society of Engineers, and Solar Society of Nigeria
Recognized for ICT and digital economy contributions by platforms such as IT Edge News Africa
Married to Dr. Martina Yilwatda, with a son
Active in community development, youth empowerment, and education through scholarships
