Professor Nentawe Yilwatda has emerged as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His appointment was confirmed on July 24, 2025, during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, following the resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje due to health issues. Yilwatda, who is currently the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, was sworn into office immediately after the confirmation.
Yilwatda’s background is quite impressive. Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, he is a renowned academic, engineer, and seasoned public servant with over 29 years of experience in academia, civil service, and project management. He has held various positions, including being a former governorship candidate of the APC in Plateau State and a loyalist of ex-Governor Simon Lalong. Yilwatda holds a PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The circumstances surrounding his emergence are notable. The APC had been zoned to the North Central region, and Yilwatda’s emergence aligns with this zoning arrangement. His selection is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s internal cohesion and broaden its support base across the North-Central region. It is reported that President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu, threw their weight behind Yilwatda’s emergence.
As the new National Chairman, Yilwatda’s appointment is expected to prioritize technocratic leadership over traditional political figures, aiming to reposition the party ahead of future elections. Party leaders are optimistic that his blend of academic excellence, electoral experience, and political exposure will help rebrand the APC and strengthen its appeal to a wider segment of the electorate. With his wealth of experience and expertise, Yilwatda is poised to lead the APC in a new direction, focusing on rebuilding and strengthening the party’s internal structures.
