Benjamin Kalu

Benjamin Okezie Kalu was born on 5 May 1971 in Agbamuzu, Bende Local Government Area^[3] of Abia State, Nigeria.^[4] He holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University,^[5] a Master of Law in terrorism and international humanitarian law (distinction), and a Bachelor of Law (LL.B Hons.) from the University of Calabar. Kalu was called to the Nigerian Bar after completing his studies at the Nigeria Law School in Enugu State, Nigeria. In 2025, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in public policy and strategic studies from University of Abuja with thesis titled Government Capacity to Integrate International Climate Adapta-tion Strategies and Policies in Nigeria.^[6]

In addition to his formal education, Kalu has obtained several certifications in Migration and Human Rights from John Cabot University, Italy,^[7] Illicit Trade from the University of Groningen, Netherlands,^[8] Governance and Development from Miami Herbert Business School,^[9] Miami University, USA,^[10] Environmental Crimes from the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), Italy and International Commercial Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIARB)^[11] at the University of Oxford,^[12] United Kingdom.

Kalu's political career began in 2002 when he contested for the House of Representatives primaries. He served as the Local Government Chairman (Transition) for Bende Local Government Area, Abia State and held various advisory roles to the then Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu.^[13] He has also served as the National Chapter President of the Peoples Democracy Party^[14] in Diaspora, the youngest Local Government Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, and Senior Special Adviser to Theodore Orji^[15] on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abia State, Nigeria.

He was re-elected in 2023 and he is currently the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria. His roles in the 10th Assembly include chairman of the Constitution Review and Amendment Committee.

As the spokesperson of the 9th Assembly,^[16] Kalu proposed and supported various bills, motions, and acts, including the Acts Authentication Act,^[17] and the Nigerian Communications Act. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on the review of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.^[18]

Kalu is the convener of the Peace in the South East Project (PISE),^[19] which aims to use non-kinetic means to resolve insecurity in the South East Region of Nigeria. He also led the Sudan Darfur Project in Australia for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, focusing on fundraising and providing orientation for refugees.

He is also the founder of the Benjamin Kalu Foundation.^[20]

Kalu is married and has five children.

• Valuable Parliamentarian by OrderPaper^[21]
• Outstanding Representative Member of the Year at the Democracy Heroes Award Africa^[22]
• 2021 Zik's Award of Excellence on Civic Engagement
• South East and Abia State Federal Lawmaker of the Year Award by Independent Newspaper
• Outstanding Legislative Contribution Award towards Improving Tuberculosis policy and Funding in Nigeria^[23]
• Leadership Excellence (LEEX) Awards
• 2019 Humanitarian Service Award
• FLO FM Icon Award as the Most Impactful Lawmaker of the Year
• Model of Media and Public Relation Matters Award