National Colloquium01 / The gathering
About the colloquium
A national convening on the ideas shaping Nigeria’s future — scholars, policymakers, students and citizens in one room.
This year’s theme: Catalysing Nigeria's Journey to a $1 Trillion Economy.
The National Colloquium brings together the country’s brightest minds across government, the academy and civil society for a day of keynotes, panels and technical sessions — convened around a single question of national consequence.
The Colloquium 2.0 is held in honour of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe — the 'Zegeber-u-Tiv', 'Chimereze I' of Ebonyi, and the 'Kenrit' of the Ngas Nation — assessing his cradle, struggle and grace.
Alongside the main programme, a national student essay competition invites the next generation to put their ideas forward, with the strongest entries recognised at the event.
Why it matters
Nigeria’s hardest problems don’t belong to one profession or one party. The colloquium exists to put the people who study these questions in the same room as the people who decide them — and to keep the conversation open to the public.
In his honour
Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda
Scholar, technologist and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress. The colloquium is convened in his honour, as a forum for rigorous, non-partisan debate on the questions that will define Nigeria’s next decade.
Read his full profile →
National Convener
Comr. Beduna Bulus Gaknung
A Nigerian educationist, youth leader and public affairs advocate from Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State. He holds a B.A. in Education (Guidance & Counselling and English Language) from the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, and has built a record of leadership spanning student unionism, public service and youth mobilisation — including terms as Special Adviser to the Governor of Plateau State on ICT (2015–2019), State General Secretary of the Plateau State Youth Council (2021–2024), and, since 2025, Liaison Officer for Kanke LGA to the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe.
As National Convener of the Colloquium, he leads efforts to bring together scholars, professionals, policymakers and political actors for meaningful engagement on leadership, governance, development and the future of Nigeria. He resides in Jos, Plateau State, with his wife and two children.
The organising structure
Committees
- Central Planning CommitteePrincess Patience Shishang — Chairperson
- Entertainment CommitteeMathew Roy — Chairman
- Media and Publicity CommitteeDalong Mankwal Fredgine — Chairman
- Prayer CommitteeSimdung Katmuna Yohana — Chairman
- Academic CommitteeAugustine Kwarsen Gideon — Chairman
- Protocol CommitteePromise Yatu — Chairman
- Contact and Mobilization CommitteeAnne Suwa — Chairman
- Security CommitteeMangut Malo — Chairman
- Event, Content and Publication CommitteePeter Shakka Nensok — Chairman
- Sanitation CommitteeSemshak Augustine — Chairman
- Logistics CommitteeHoomulak Sean Shinman — Chairman