Kalu Idika Kalu


Kalu Idika Kalu is a Nigerian politician. He was finance minister twice, minister of national planning and transportation minister. He was a presidential aspirant in the 2003 Nigeria general elections under the platform of The New Nigeria Peoples Party.

Early life

Kalu was born in Owerri, Imo state, southeastern Nigeria. He is from Ebem Ohafia in Abia state Nigeria. He is from Ibo tribe 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.

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.
He held various official positions in Nigeria and outside Nigeria including:
He is a member of the All Progressives Congress, joining after leaving the People Democratic Party, as he believes in the emergency of a strong two party system in Nigeria.

Personal life

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