BENJAMIN OKEZIE KALU

Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu is a distinguished lawyer, lawmaker, and national leader, currently serving as the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives. He represents the Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State and has earned a reputation as one of the most impactful legislators in Nigeria’s contemporary democratic history. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Calabar and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995. Hon. Kalu also earned multiple postgraduate degrees, including an LL.M in Terrorism and International Humanitarian Law, a Master’s in Petroleum Taxation and Finance, and an MBA from Oxford Brookes University. He is a certified arbitrator and trained in international commercial law and development policy from global institutions. Before joining the National Assembly, Kalu served as the youngest Local Government Chairman of Bende LGA and later held several advisory roles within the Abia State government. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2019, where he served as Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs. By 2023, his record of legislative excellence propelled him to the position of Deputy Speaker. He has sponsored over 50 bills and motions, including the South-East Development Commission Bill, the Nigeria Student Loan Act, and the Nigerian Startup Act. His efforts have significantly shaped national discourse on youth development, education, security, and constitutional reforms. Kalu is also the convener of the Peace in the South-East Project (PISE-P), a landmark initiative aimed at fostering reconciliation and security in the region.