Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Ph.D., CFR, is the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he represents the Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State. He is a seasoned legislator, accomplished legal practitioner, international businessman, peace advocate, and a globally respected thought leader in governance and development.
With a career spanning more than two decades across both the public and private sectors, Kalu has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to national progress.
His political journey began at the grassroots level as Chairman of Bende Local Government Area. He later served as Executive Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and International Relations—roles in which he championed development-oriented initiatives before rising to national prominence.
Elected to the House of Representatives in 2019, he quickly distinguished himself as Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs and Spokesperson of the House. His tenure was marked by clarity, diplomacy, strategic communication, and exceptional legislative professionalism.
Today, as Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Kalu leads one of the nation’s most significant and historic legislative responsibilities. Under his guidance, the Constitution Review Committee focuses on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, deepening national inclusion, and advancing unity through meaningful constitutional reforms.
He is equally influential on the international stage. Kalu represents Nigeria as:
Chairman, ECOWAS Parliament Committee on Administration, Finance & Budget
Member, Pan-African Parliament
Steering Committee Member, WTO Parliamentary Conference
Member, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
His academic achievements reflect the depth of his intellectual grounding. Kalu holds:
Ph.D. in Law — University of Calabar
Ph.D. in Public Policy & Strategic Studies — University of Abuja
LL.M in Terrorism & International Humanitarian Law (Distinction) — University of Calabar
MBA — Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom
LL.B (Hons.) — University of Calabar
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2011.
He has further enhanced his expertise through executive programs at top global institutions, including:
Harvard Kennedy School — Leadership for the 21st Century
University of Miami — Governance & Development Program
UNICRI, Italy — Environmental Crimes
John Cabot University, Italy — Migration and Human Rights
University of Groningen, Netherlands — Illicit Trade
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) — International Commercial Arbitration
As a scholar-practitioner, Kalu has published works on climate adaptation, food security, and security sector reforms—solidifying his role as a bridge between research and governance.
In the private sector, he has held leadership positions across Africa, Europe, and Australia, including Director at Solcarbon SA-NV (Belgium), Ozbok Australia PTY LTD (Sydney), and Belcarbon SA (Belgium). He is also Principal Arbitrator at Silk Partners LLP (Nigeria), advising on commercial law, arbitration, and international business strategy.
Kalu’s passion for peace and regional stability finds concrete expression in the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P), a groundbreaking initiative he founded to promote dialogue, inclusivity, and non-kinetic solutions to security challenges in the South East.
His humanitarian initiatives, anchored through the Benjamin Kalu Foundation, have for over twenty years delivered impactful interventions in healthcare, education, youth empowerment, women’s development, and support for persons with disabilities.
In recognition of his distinguished service to the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, conferred on him the prestigious national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu stands as a visionary leader of the 21st century—seamlessly blending law, policy, diplomacy, scholarship, and humanitarianism to champion a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria, Africa, and world.
Tomorrow, he will be officially unveiled as a Patron of OMPAN Abia State.
