Professor Nentawe Yilwatda has been named the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following his emergence during Thursday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

His appointment comes after the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje in June 2025.

Here are five essential things to know about the new helmsman of Nigeria’s ruling party:

1. Birth and Origin
   Born on 8 August 1968, Professor Yilwatda hails from Plateau State, in Nigeria’s North Central geopolitical zone. A multidisciplinary professional, he is an academic, politician, and certified engineer.
2. Former Minister Under Tinubu
   Until his recent elevation, Yilwatda served as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development. He assumed the role in October 2024, following the suspension of his predecessor, Betta Edu, over a financial misconduct investigation.
3. 2023 APC Gubernatorial Candidate
   Yilwatda flew the APC’s flag in the 2023 governorship election in Plateau State, representing the party in a keenly contested race.
4. Former INEC Commissioner
   From July 2017 to December 2021, he served as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), overseeing several key electoral processes during his tenure.
5. ICT Director in Academia
   Before venturing fully into public service, Yilwatda spent over a decade as Director of ICT at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he led various digital transformation initiatives.