Rev. Professor Cletus Tanimu Gotan was born in Bokkos, Plateau State, Nigeria on the 16th of April, 1949. He received his primary and secondary education at the Holy Cross School, Pankshin (1957-1963) and St. John Vianney Minor Seminary Barakin Ladi (1964-1968) respectively. He enrolled into St. Augustine's Major Seminary,Jos where he studied Philosophy and Theology from1969-1974. He was ordained a Catholic Priest on the 15th December,1974 at his home Parish, Holy Cross Pankshin.

After some few years of pastoral work he proceeded to the renowned pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (1977-1981) and the famous Hebrew University, Jerusalem, (1978-1979) where he obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (LSS). Upon his return,he was sent to lecture at his alma-mater (St. Augustine's Major Seminary, Jos) (1981-1994).In 1984, he was appointed Vice-Rector of the institution and eventually rose to become it's first alumnus Rector,a position he held for six years of excellent, meritorious and committed service in forming Priest for the Church.

After the time in the seminary,he combined the Parish Priesthood of St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Jos with the Chaplain ship of the Good Shepherd Catholic Chaplaincy, University of Jos where he helped build up students into integrated personalities and prepared them for roles many of them are playing well on the stage of life. He thus became the first Archdiocesan Priest to have taken up residence cum being a Lecturer in the University of Jos. Archbishop Kaigama appointed him in 2008as on of his Vicars-General charged with the responsibility of administration and religious,a position he is holding till date.

Msgr.Gotan's standing as a perfect blend of an intellectual genius and a spiritual icon are second to none. His Publication in renowned journals - local and international are both extensive and of remarkable quality. All of these have resulted in his steady promotion to the height of intellectual eminence from lecturer II to that of a Professor of Religion Education in2007. The Centenary Celebration of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos in 2007, he was honoured by Pope Benedict xvi with the title of a Monsignor.

Among countless offices rested on his shoulders are:pioneer member of plateau State Board of Relevant Technology (1974-1977); pioneer Chairman, Plateau State Christian pilgrims Welfare Board (1981-1983); pioneer National secretary and later National president of the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan priest Association (NCDPA); president Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria (CATHAN,1998-2003); a one time member of its Academic Committee; pioneer Head of Department of Arts Education University of Jos. In 2012, he was inducted into the Nigeria Academy of Education,(mnae), the highest professional body in Education. After stepping down from the top of the pyramid of the administration hierarchy in the faculty of Education, university of Jos where he was twice unanimously elected into the office of Dean of the faculty,he proceeded to vertats University (the Catholic University of Nigeria, Abuja), where he was the Dean, college of Education for sabbatical.

Msgr Gotan is currently the Ag.Provost, College of Education, Gindiri; Chairman, Board of Governors, Oswald Waller College of Education, Shendam; Vicar General, (Admission) Catholic Archdiocese of Jos; Chairman, Research Ethics Committee,OLA Hospital, Jos. He was recently appoia member of the governing council of the Federal college of Education, Pankshin (2017) and member of governing council veritas University, Abuja (2018). He has been for quite some years now external examiner of the Catholic Institute of west Africa (CIWA), Portharcourt and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

As part of activities to mark his 70th birthday celebration, a special mass was held in his honour at the St. Finbarrs Catholic Church, Rayfield, Jos on June 13th, 2019; which was swiftly followed by a reception/ book launch at Mee's Palace.

The book, which is a compendium of selected homiletic reflections at thanksgiving, nuptial and funeral ceremonies chronicles some of his best teachings in God's vineyard.