Nentawe Yilwatda Biography: Early Life
Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda was born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung village, located in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. He was raised in a Christian family under the guidance of his late parents, Reverend and Mrs. Toma Yilwatda. Growing up in a religious and disciplined environment, he showed signs of academic brilliance from an early age, laying the foundation for his future pursuits in science and leadership.
Nentawe Yilwatda Biography: Personal Life
Professor Yilwatda is a devoted Christian and a member of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN). He is married to Dr. Martina Yilwatda Goshwe, and the couple is blessed with a son, Beji Nentawe Goshwe. He lives with his family in Rayfield, Jos South, Plateau State, where he balances public service with a strong commitment to family and faith.
Education
Yilwatda began his academic journey at LGED Primary School in Dungung, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1981. He then proceeded to Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri, completing his General Certificate of Education (GCE O’Level) in 1986. His interest in engineering took him to the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he earned a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 1992.
To further enhance his academic qualifications, he obtained a Master of Engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi and later earned a PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Beyond Nigeria, he received professional training in electronic governance from the United Nations University International Institute for Software Technology in Macau, China. He also participated in development and ICT-related programs supported by global organizations such as the World Bank, MacArthur Foundation, AfriNIC, NetTel@Africa, and the Association of African Universities.
Academic and Professional Journey
Professor Yilwatda began his teaching career in 1995 at Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi. In 1996, he joined the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, as a Graduate Assistant. Over time, he rose through the ranks and became the institution’s pioneer Director of ICT, a position he held for 12 years. His tenure led to significant automation of the university’s systems and processes. Between 2006 and 2017, he served on the university’s Senate and was recognized for his excellence with awards such as Best Staff of the Year and Best Director of the Year in 2012.
He also played a key role in supervising postgraduate students and contributed to scholarly research, including notable works like Radio Frequency Sensor-Based Traffic Light Control for Emergency Vehicles (2022) and Design and Simulation of a Walking Biped Robot (2019).
Outside the academic space, he worked as a consultant for prominent organizations including the European Union, UNICEF, and the World Bank. He was involved in the development of Nigeria’s first Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), used by major institutions such as the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria. He also led UNICEF-supported energy projects for vaccine storage in cold chain systems across several Nigerian states. His efforts extended internationally, including participation in energy research trips to the United States and Canada.
Yilwatda holds memberships in several professional bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Solar Society of Nigeria.
Political Career
Professor Yilwatda entered public service in 2017 when he was appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State by former President Muhammadu Buhari. During his four-year tenure, he initiated reforms to improve the voting process for internally displaced persons and people with disabilities, and also advocated for electronic voting systems.
In 2021, he stepped down from his INEC role to run for governor of Plateau State under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections. Although he lost to Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he pursued legal challenges up to the Supreme Court. He also served as the coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign in Plateau State during the elections.
In October 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development. In this role, he was tasked with overseeing social intervention programs, addressing humanitarian challenges, and contributing to national economic planning as a member of the Presidential Economic Management Team and Chairman of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development.
His political journey reached a new height on July 24, 2025, when he was unanimously elected National Chairman of the APC during the party’s National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja. He succeeded Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned due to health reasons. Yilwatda’s appointment was seen as a strategic move ahead of the 2027 elections, and he promised to uphold internal democracy and strengthen party unity.
Community Service and Humanitarian Work
Beyond his formal roles, Professor Yilwatda has remained committed to community development. He has supported education through the distribution of over 100 laptops to students in Pankshin and Kanke LGAs, offered scholarships and JAMB sponsorship to more than 200 students, and empowered youths with vocational training in animal farming. He also co-founded the Bikatki Cooperative to assist rural farmers with access to finance and facilitated the construction of classrooms in underserved areas.
Current Role and Legacy
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda currently serves as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). With a blend of academic excellence, engineering expertise, and political experience, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s ruling party. His leadership style, rooted in innovation and integrity, continues to leave a lasting impact on governance, education, and community development.
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from Wikipedia. All details cannot be independently verified by Daily News 24 or its editorial team
