Kalu Idika Kalu

Kalu Idika Kalu (born 14 October 1939) is a Nigerian politician. He was finance minister twice, minister of national planning and transportation minister.^[3] He was a presidential aspirant in the 2003 Nigeria general elections under the platform of The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).^[4]

Kalu Idika Kalu
Minister of finance
In office 1985–1986
President	Ibrahim Babangida
Preceded by	Onaolapo Soleye
Succeeded by	Chu Okongwu
Minister of finance
In office 1993–1994
Preceded by	Aminu Saleh
Succeeded by	Anthony Ani
Minister of national planning
Minister of transportation
Personal details
Born	(1939-10-14) 14 October 1939 (age 85)[1] Ohafia, Abia State
Nationality	Nigerian
Alma mater	Kings College Lagos[2] University of Wisconsin

Early life

Kalu was born in Ebem Ohafia, Abia state, southeastern Nigeria. He is of the Ibo people which is one of the largest tribes in Nigeria.

He studied at Kings College Lagos from 1954 to 1960 where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1964. Kalu also obtained a Masters of Arts in Economics in 1965, as well as a Doctorate Degree in economic development and public finance in 1972 from the University of Wisconsin. He was a Stimson Fellow while attending Yale University.^[5]

Career

He was a founding member of the Justice Party, but ran for president on the platform of NNPP during the 2003 Nigerian presidential election.

He participated in research work on developing countries and lectured at university level. While at the World Bank East Asia and Pacific Programs Department, Kalu contributed significantly to micro- and macro-economic work on the economies of Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.^[6]

He held various official positions in Nigeria and outside Nigeria including:

• Commissioner for finance andplanning in Imo State
• Minister of finance
• Minister for national planning
• Minister of transport
• Chairman, ECOWAS Council of Ministers
• Chairman, development committee of the World Bank^[7]

He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), joining after leaving the People Democratic Party (PDP), as he believes in the emergency of a strong two party system in Nigeria.^[8]

Personal life

He married Imo Kalu, with whom he had five children.

References

1. "To my friend, my mentor and leader; Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu (KIK), as he turns a year older". News Express Nigeria. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
2. "Dr Kalu Idika Kalu". King's College Old Boys Association. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
3. "Directors". First Choice Leasing Ltd. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
4. Godson Offoaro (7 June 2002). "Kalu Idika Kalu: An Igbo who wants to be Nigeria's President. Part I". Nigeria World. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
5. "The Foundation Interview Series #13: Dr Kalu Idika Kalu". Nigeria Village Square. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
6. John Oghojafor (2 August 2016). "Nigeria Needs Structures And Restructuring - Idika Kalu". The New Diplomat. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
7. "Ex-finance minister, Kalu Idika Kalu, to chair The Sun Awards". The Sun. Nigeria. 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
8. Sunny Nwankwo (6 December 2015). "Why I joined APC - Idika Kalu". The Nation. Retrieved 2 August 2023.