The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, on Thursday, July 24, 2025, emerged as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His emergence followed a motion for his nomination which was moved by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Prof. Yilwatda was immediately sworn into office after an oath of office administered by Oghenovo Otemu.
In his acceptance remarks, the new Chairman of the APC pledged to expand the frontiers of the ruling party by promoting unity and mutual respect for all members.
His emergence, it was gathered was the based on the Party’s decision to embraces a technocratic leadership and needed religious balance.
Yilwatda is stepping into the position left by former governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stepped down citing health reasons.
Yilwatda’s new position was hitherto ratified on Wednesday night at meeting between President Bola Ahmedf Tinubu and the APC Governors ahead of the Thursday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
It was gathered that within the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) described Yilwatda’s selection as a shift towards merit-based and inclusive leadership as they see his technocratic background and Christian faith as strategic moves to the promotion of professional competence and religious diversity at the party’s national leadership.
Yilwatda, who was the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in Plateau State in 2023, is widely respected for his administrative capability and professional accomplishments. A seasoned engineer, Yilwatda was born in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, to the family of the late Reverend and Mrs. Toma Yilwatda on August 8, 1968.
He is affiliated with several professional bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and the Solar Society of Nigeria.
Yilwatda’s rise signals a new phase in the APC’s leadership as the ruling party seeks to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 political challenges.
