{{short description|Nigerian politician}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=June 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = The Honourable | name = Benjamin Kalu | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NG|CFR|size=100%}} | image = Benjamin Okezie Kalu.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | office1 = Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria | term_start1 = 13 June 2023 | term_end1 = | 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|Speaker}} | 1namedata1 = Tajudeen Abbas | predecessor1 = Ahmed Idris Wase | successor1 = | office2 = Member of the<br>House of Representatives of Nigeria<br>from Abia | term_start2 = 11 June 2019 | term_end2 = | predecessor2 = | successor2 = | constituency2 = Bende | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | party = All Progressives Congress | other_party = Peoples Democratic Party<br>Progressive Peoples Alliance | spouse = | children = | alma_mater = | occupation = Politician | profession = | website = }}
'''Benjamin Okezie Kalu''' {{post-nominals|country=NG|CFR}} is a Nigerian politician who is currently serving as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria since 2023. He represents the Bende federal constituency.<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 August 2021|title=A First Time Legislator Who Mastered the Ropes|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/08/certificate-forgery-allegation-against-benjamin-kalu-court-adjourns-till-wednesday/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=21 February 2022|newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kwen |first=James |date=12 June 2025 |title=Tinubu Decorates NASS Presiding Officers With National Honours |url=https://leadership.ng/tinubu-decorates-nass-presiding-officers-with-national-honours/ |access-date=17 July 2025 |language=en-US|newspaper=Leadership}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Benjamin Okezie Kalu was born on 5 May 1971 in Agbamuzu, Bende Local Government Area<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agbamuzu, Bende - Postcode - 441113 - Nigeria Postcode |url=https://www.nigeriapostcode.com/abia-bende-bende-agbamuzu.html |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=www.nigeriapostcode.com}}</ref> of Abia State, Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://abiastate.gov.ng/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Official Website of the Abia State Government |language=en-US}}</ref> He holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University,<ref>{{Cite web |title=It's time to achieve |url=https://www.brookes.ac.uk/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Oxford Brookes University |language=en}}</ref> 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. ''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Akintola |first=Kehinde |date=2025-08-07 |title=Kalu bags doctorate from Gowon varsity Abuja |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/kalu-bags-doctorate-from-gowon-varsity-abuja/ |access-date=2025-10-01 |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune|language=en-GB}}</ref> In April 2026, he bagged another Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)in Laws from the University of Calabar with thesis titled "Evaluating the Efficacy of Anti-Terrorism Legislation in Nigeria: Human Rights Challenges and Lessons for Emerging Democracies"<ref>https://guardian.ng/news/deputy-speaker-kalu-bags-phd-in-laws-at-unicals-38th-convocation/</ref>
In addition to his formal education, Kalu has obtained several certifications in Migration and Human Rights from John Cabot University, Italy,<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Cabot {{!}} Study Abroad and Degree Programs in Rome, Italy |url=https://www.johncabot.edu/default.aspx |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=www.johncabot.edu |language=en}}</ref> Illicit Trade from the University of Groningen, Netherlands,<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2017 |title=University of Groningen - Top 100 University |url=https://www.rug.nl/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=University of Groningen |language=en}}</ref> Governance and Development from Miami Herbert Business School,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Miami Herbert Business School |url=https://herbert.miami.edu/index.html |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=herbert.miami.edu |language=en}}</ref> Miami University, USA,<ref>{{Cite web |title=No. 3 Public for Undergrad Teaching |url=https://miamioh.edu/index.html |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Miami University |language=en}}</ref> 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)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ciarb {{!}} Home |url=https://www.ciarb.org/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=www.ciarb.org |language=en-GB}}</ref> at the University of Oxford,<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Oxford |url=https://www.ox.ac.uk/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=www.ox.ac.uk}}</ref> United Kingdom.
== Political career == 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Assembly {{!}} Federal Republic of Nigeria |url=https://nass.gov.ng/mps/single/97 |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=nass.gov.ng}}</ref> He has also served as the National Chapter President of the Peoples Democracy Party<ref>{{Cite web |title=peoplesdemocraticparty.com.ng - Bethesda, MD |url=https://peoplesdemocraticparty.com.ng/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=peoplesdemocraticparty.com.ng |language=en}}</ref> in Diaspora, the youngest Local Government Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, and Senior Special Adviser to Theodore Orji<ref>{{Citation |title=Theodore Orji |date=28 May 2024 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theodore_Orji&oldid=1226131229 |access-date=16 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> 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.
=== Legislative activities === As the spokesperson of the 9th Assembly,<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 July 2024 |title=List of the Elected House of Representatives Members for the 9th Assembly – Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre |url=https://placng.org/i/documents/list-of-the-elected-house-of-representatives-members-for-the-9th-assembly/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> Kalu proposed and supported various bills, motions, and acts, including the Acts Authentication Act,<ref>{{Cite web |title=PLAC - 2004 Laws of Nigeria |url=https://placng.org/lawsofnigeria/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=placng.org}}</ref> and the Nigerian Communications Act. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on the review of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Constitution Review: We Won't Disappoint Nigerians – House |date=6 February 2024 |url=https://leadership.ng/constitution-review-we-wont-disappoint-nigerians-house/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |language=en|newspaper=Leadership}}</ref>
== Projects == Kalu is the convener of the Peace in the South East Project (PISE),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peace in South East Project – Peace in South East Project |url=https://pise-p.org/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benjamin Kalu |url=https://www.benjaminkalu.com/ |website=www.benjaminkalu.com |access-date=16 July 2024}}</ref>
==Personal life== Kalu is married and has five children.
== Awards and recognition ==
* Valuable Parliamentarian by OrderPaper<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alimi |first=Olamilekan Quadri |date=1 June 2023 |title=OrderPaper rewards 18 NASS Members for valuable contributions |url=https://orderpaper.ng/2023/06/01/orderpaper-rewards-18-nass-members-for-valuable-contributions-in-lawmaking/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=OrderPaper |language=en-US |archive-date=20 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720172939/https://orderpaper.ng/2023/06/01/orderpaper-rewards-18-nass-members-for-valuable-contributions-in-lawmaking/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Outstanding Representative Member of the Year at the Democracy Heroes Award Africa<ref>{{Cite web |last=calabargist |date=23 August 2022 |title=Democracy Heroes Awards, Eteng Williams, Gbajabiamila, Gov. Sani Bello, Aregbesola was awarded |url=https://calabargist.com/democracy-heroes-awardseteng-williams-gbajabiamila-gov-sani-bello-aregbesola-was-awarded/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=CALABARGIST |language=en-US}}</ref> * 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<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tol |first=Maya van |date=12 November 2021 |title=KNCV Nigeria awarded at the National TB Conference |url=https://www.kncvtbc.org/en/2021/11/12/kncv-nigeria-awarded-at-the-national-tb-conference/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=KNCV - Tuberculosefonds |language=en-US}}</ref> * 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
== Membership == * Member and International Rappoteur of the Inter-Parliamentary Union<ref>https://www.tvcnews.tv/kalu-leads-adoption-of-global-post-conflict-recovery-resolution-at-ipu-assembly/</ref> * Member of the Steering Committee of the Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade Organisation (PCWTO)<ref>https://punchng.com/ipu-appoints-kalu-wto-steering-committee-member/</ref> * Member of the African Union Pan African Parliament,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Pan-African Parliament {{!}} African Union |url=https://au.int/en/pap |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=au.int |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234306/https://au.int/en/pap |url-status=dead }}</ref> serving under the Finance and Admin Committee * Member of the ECOWAS Parliament,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECOWAS Parliament |url=https://www.parl.ecowas.int/ |website=ECOWAS Parliament |date=1 July 2024 |access-date=16 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> serving as the chairman of the Finance, Administration and Budget Committee * Fellow of OSHAssociation United Kingdom<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2022 |title=OSHAssociation Training - Occupational Safety And Health Association Uk |url=https://oshassociationtraining.com/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> * Fellow of the Chartered Institute of International Arbitrators (CIARB UK)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ciarb {{!}} Home |url=https://www.ciarb.org/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=www.ciarb.org |language=en-GB}}</ref> * Member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nigerian Bar Association |url=https://www.nigerianbar.org.ng/ |website=Nigerian Bar Association |access-date=16 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> * Fellow of the Institute of Administrative Managers (F.Inst.AM)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - Institute of Administrative Management |url=https://www.instam.org/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=www.instam.org}}</ref> * Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Service (FNIPR)<ref>https://niprng.org.ng/news/posts/nipr-decorates-19-new-fellows-inducts-107-associates</ref> * Fellow of the International Scientific Community of the School of International Economic Relations and Travel Business<ref>https://www.karazinuniversity.com/school-of-international-economic-relations/</ref>
== Publications ==
* Kalu, Benjamin & Miebaka, Nabiebu (2024). The International Criminal Court: Analyzing Its Efficacy in Combating International Crimes in the 21st Century. Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities, 2(1), 85-104. * Benjamin Okezie Kalu & Amarachukwu Onyinyechi Ijiomah (2024). The Evolution and Impact of Terrorism in Africa: Historical Context, Key Actors, and Counter-Terrorism Measures, PINISI Journal of Art, Humanity and Social Studies, Vol. 4 (1), E-ISSN 2747-2671. * Benjamin Okezie Kalu and Ugonna Obi-Emeruwa (2024). Climate Adaptation Policy and Food Security in Nigeria: Evaluating Strategies, Challenges and Future Directions, Journal of African Gender, Peace and Security Studies Review, Vol. 3, No. 1, ISSN 0189-7934. * Kalu, Benjamin Okezie & Miebaka, Nabiebu (2024). The International Criminal Court: Analyzing Its Efficacy in Combating International Crimes in the 21st Century. Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities, 2(1), 85-104. * Ugonna Obi-Emeruwa, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Oyindamola Kolapo (2024). Need for Africanization of Militaries in Africa, Journal of African Gender, Peace and Security Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 1, ISSN 0189-7934. * Kalu, Benjamin Okezie & Ijiomah, Amarachi (2024). Rethinking Islamophobia: A Transnational Crisis of Identity for the Potential Terrorist. Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities, 2(2), 1-23. * Benjamin Okezie Kalu and Amarachukwu Onyinyechi Ijioma (2024). The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on Economic Growth and Development in Nigeria: Prospects, Challenges, and Policy Implications, GNOSI: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Human Theory and Praxis. Volume 7, Issue 2, July–December 2024 ISSN (Online): 2714-2485. * Kalu, Benjamin Okezie & Ijioma, Amarachi Onyinyechi (2024). International Legal Regime: Analysis of Cases Relating to Global Terrorism. GNOSI: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Human Theory and Praxis, 7(1), 246-245.
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Abia State National Assembly delegation}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kalu, Benjamin}} Category:Living people Category:All Progressives Congress politicians Category:Nigerian political candidates Category:University of Calabar alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Nigeria) from Abia State Category:Members of the 9th National Assembly (Nigeria) Category:Members of the 10th National Assembly (Nigeria)