Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda is a Nigerian academic, engineer and politician who has risen from a career in university information technology and engineering to senior public service and national party leadership.
Born in 1968, Yilwatda served as Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State, was appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in October 2024, and was later named National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July 2025.
Bio Data
- Full Name: Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda
- Born: August 8, 1968
- Age: 57 years (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria
- State of Origin: Plateau State
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Occupation: Engineer, Academic, Politician
- Religion: Christianity
- Parents: Late Rev. Toma Yilwatda (father)
- Spouse: Dr. Martina Yilwatda Goshwe
- Children: Yes (names not publicly disclosed)
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: Estimated around $1.5 million (as of 2025)
Early life and education
Nentawe Yilwatda was born on 8 August 1968 in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State. He is the son of the late Rev. Toma Yilwatda. Yilwatda’s early schooling in Plateau built the foundation for a career that blends technical depth with public service.
He pursued higher education in engineering and related fields, earning degrees that eventually led to a PhD and a long academic career. His technical training underpins his reputation as a systems-focused leader who emphasizes data, infrastructure, and process in governance.
Academic career and technical background
Before entering full-time public service and frontline politics, Prof. Yilwatda was an established academic and engineer. He spent many years at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he served as Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and contributed to a number of technology and engineering projects, including ICT strategy development and energy/ICT integration projects. His academic work includes publications on robotics, control systems and ICT-enabled engineering solutions.
Public service: INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner
Yilwatda was appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Benue State with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In that role he oversaw electoral logistics, worked to ensure voting access for internally displaced persons and people with disabilities, and managed the practical implementation of election technologies and processes that reduce disenfranchisement. His tenure as REC (2017–2021) raised his national profile as a public administrator able to manage technically demanding operations.
Move into partisan politics and the 2023 Plateau campaign
After resigning from INEC, Prof. Yilwatda sought elected office and became the APC flag-bearer for the Plateau State governorship contest. He also coordinated parts of the APC presidential campaign structure in Plateau during the 2022–2023 election cycle. His shift from electoral management into partisan politics was closely watched due to his technical and administrative pedigree.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
On 24 October 2024, Nentawe Yilwatda was nominated and sworn in as Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. In the ministerial role he emphasized sustainable, system-based approaches to poverty reduction rather than short-term palliative handouts — pushing for programmatic interventions that link social protection, livelihoods and data-driven targeting. His ministerial tenure elevated his national visibility and gave him direct experience with disaster management, social protection programs, and IDP (internally displaced persons) responses.
APC National Chairman — leadership at party level
In July 2025 Yilwatda was appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The position places him at the core of party strategy, coordination and administration ahead of key electoral cycles. His appointment followed his ministerial service and reflects cross-cutting support from party stakeholders who view his administrative background and technocratic profile as assets for party management.
Priorities, style and governance approach
Yilwatda’s leadership style is frequently described as technocratic and process-oriented. He leans on data, institutional reform, and project-management practices — a natural extension of his time running ICT systems and large operational units in academia and in government. As minister and party chair, he has emphasized targeted social protection programs and better beneficiary identification; strengthening administrative systems within institutions to improve transparency and delivery; and engagement with stakeholders — community leaders, civil society and international partners — to align humanitarian response with local needs.
Publications, awards and recognitions
Prof. Yilwatda’s technical publications include research on robotics, sensor-based systems, and ICT applications for engineering problems. He has also received awards for leadership in ICT within the university system and for contributions to digital economy discussions.
Personal life
Yilwatda is Christian and married to Dr. Martina Yilwatda Goshwe. They have children and maintain a private family life in Plateau State. Family ties and community networks in Plateau have been part of his political base.
Legacy and impact (so far)
While still active in public life, Nentawe Yilwatda’s legacy is forming around a few clear themes: moving technical rigor into public administration, advocating for structured social-protection systems, and bridging academic expertise with practical governance. His rise from university ICT director and REC to minister and national party chairman is an example of how technocratic competence can translate into political leadership in modern Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Nentawe Yilwatda?
He is a Nigerian professor, engineer and politician who has held roles as an ICT director at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, a Resident Electoral Commissioner (Benue), Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and—since July 2025—the National Chairman of the APC.
When and where was he born?
Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda was born on 8 August 1968 in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State.
What was his role at INEC?
He served as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State (2017–2021), overseeing state-level election administration and logistics.
What ministries has he led?
He served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction beginning in October 2024.
What are his main priorities as APC National Chairman?
Publicly stated priorities include strengthening party structures, enhancing coordination ahead of elections, and ensuring administrative transparency. His background suggests he will also emphasize data-driven party processes and coordination with government programs.
Where can I read his research publications?
Some of his technical papers are indexed in engineering and academic journals; local news profiles and university pages list sample publications and conference contributions.
Conclusion
Nentawe Yilwatda’s biography shows a distinctive pathway from engineering and university leadership into electoral management and national politics. His technical background and administrative experience helped shape his approach to humanitarian policy and party leadership. Whether as an architect of ICT strategy at a university or as a national political leader, Yilwatda exemplifies a trend where technocratic skills bolster public service and political responsibility. As he continues in national roles, observers will watch how his systems-oriented approach affects party administration and social protection programs in Nigeria.
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