The Nentawe leadership story: Tinubu picked a professor, Nigeria got a reformer

If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ever kept a personal trophy shelf for “Best Decisions of My Presidency,” appointing Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would sit right at the top, polished, framed, and probably illuminated by soft gold lighting.

In an era where political appointments sometimes feel like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, Nentawe is the rare case of round peg, round hole, and perfect fit. A technocrat with political intuition, an academic with practical grit, and a leader who understands both equations and emotions. Professor Nentawe is the calm in the storm and the compass in the fog.

He hasn’t just occupied the office. He has inhabited it with purpose, bringing a refreshing blend of intelligence, empathy, and that gentle humour that makes even hard truths sound like national pep talks.

Defending Democracy Like It’s a National Treasure

In his recent engagements with different levels of stakeholders, the chairman delivered his message with the clarity of a town crier and the charm of a statesman: “Democracy in Nigeria is non-negotiable.”

He gave the media their flowers for sustaining the nation’s democratic journey, acknowledging them as the Fourth Estate that keeps the country’s conscience alive.

According to him, democracy is like a communal harvest; if the yields are good, we all enjoy; if it goes bad, we all suffer the consequences together.

Celebrating Tinubu’s Courage: Decisions That Saved Nigeria From the Brink

Professor Nentawe didn’t mince words in commending some of the bold decisions taken by the president, decisions that, frankly, required more courage than applause:

Withdrawal of fuel subsidy. He described this as a move that saved Nigeria from economic collapse. The country was literally at a precipice; choosing not to remove subsidy would have pushed it over the edge.

Appointment of new service chiefs. With boots on the ground and an intelligence-driven approach, national security is being repositioned.

Withdrawal of police from VIP duties. A bold return to sanity. Police officers now face real policing duties, not escorting socialites to weddings.

Recruitment and capacity-building in the security sector. More personnel, better equipment, and renewed commitment to defeating insecurity.

All of these, he said, are foundational to the “New Nigeria” the administration envisions; a Nigeria that doesn’t just move forward but accelerates.

Economy: The Early Signs of Sunrise

The chairman also highlighted the nation’s promising economic indicators:

Four percent GDP growth in the last quarter, above the three percent projection, a sign that the economy is slowly but steadily responding to reforms.

Improved trade balance showing Nigeria exporting more than it imports.

Growing foreign reserves, month after month, reflecting a stabilising macroeconomic environment.

“These aren’t just numbers,” he explained, “they are signals of a future opening up.”

Leadership With Presence: The President Who Paused His Travels

In a world where leaders boast about how many countries they’ve visited, President Tinubu did the opposite. He put the world on hold and stayed home to handle urgent national security issues.

According to Nentawe, this single act reflects a president who takes responsibility seriously, who understands that leadership is first about presence before policy.

The APC Under Nentawe: A Party Being Reborn

Professor Nentawe also made one thing crystal clear: The APC must not be a tool for elections alone, but a platform for governance excellence.

To this end, he has taken on several reforms:

Nationwide engagement with governors, party leaders, and stakeholders

Data-driven digital registration of members

Efforts to ensure dues and membership systems run without friction

Internal mechanisms to strengthen the party’s resilience

Repositioning the party as a partner in governance, not merely a political machine

And yes, he meets with the president and governors frequently. Engagement is continuous, not seasonal.

Addressing Security, Education, and the Economy

He admitted that Nigeria still faces security challenges, but efforts are underway to improve the national defence architecture.

The service chiefs, he noted, are no longer “office generals,” they are “field generals,” actively directing operations.

On education, he confirmed ongoing talks with ASUU, aimed at ensuring stability and uninterrupted learning across Nigerian universities.

On Women in Politics: A Right, Not a Privilege
In perhaps his most powerful social commentary, Nentawe declared: “Women in politics is not a privilege, it is a right.”

He argued that gender should be treated like a constitutional principle of federal character. The APC, he said, fully supports increased inclusion of women in leadership.

The Federal–State Reality Check

Professor Nentawe also offered a rare moment of honesty in Nigerian politics.

He explained that many poverty-related responsibilities belong to state and local governments, not the federal government. Unfortunately, local governments are “almost crippled,” and unless constitutional amendments are made, the strain on the federal government will persist.

From ₦500bn shared in 2023 to ₦2.5 trillion now, plus increases in VAT and improved trade balances, more funds are entering the system and if well managed, they will translate into jobs, infrastructure, and growth.

Professor Nentawe made a simple but profound appeal: to all stakeholders: “We are open to improvement. Bring your suggestions, observations, and ideas. We want this country to be better.”

This is the new spirit at the APC: Open leadership, honest conversations, clear vision, and continuous engagement.

Professor Nentawe Yilwatda is not just the right man for the job, he is the right man for this moment in Nigerian history. A bridge-builder between government and citizens, a defender of democracy, and a party chairman who actually believes in governance, not just politics.

If Tinubu made a list of his legacy-defining decisions, appointing Nentawe would certainly top the list.
Not because he is perfect, but because, finally, the APC has a chairman who combines competence with conscience, courage with calmness, and strategy with sincerity.

His leadership has tightened the guardrails of democracy, ensuring that institutions hold firm and the rules of engagement are respected. It has sharpened governance by bringing clarity, discipline, and purpose to decision-making, while refocusing the party and government on service rather than spectacle. In doing so, he has pushed the future into clearer, brighter view, one defined by stability, accountability, and a growing confidence that Nigeria is steadily finding its way forward.

Tooki is a founder/editor, communication strategist, and public relations expert. He can be reached via [email protected].