Kalu Idika Kalu


Kalu Idika Kalu is a Nigerian politician. He served as Finance Minister of Nigeria, Minister of National planning and Transportation Minister. He served twice as the minister of finance. He was a presidential aspirant in the 2003 Nigeria general elections, under the platform of The New Nigeria Peoples Party.

Early life

He was born in Ebem Ohafia, in Ohafia local government Area of Abia state, South eastern Nigeria. He is of the Ibo people, one of the largest tribes in Nigeria.
He studied at Kings College Lagos from 1954 to 1960. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1964 and Masters of Arts in Economics in 1965 and a Doctorate Degree in Economic Development and Public Finance in 1972 at the University of Wisconsin. He was a Stimson Fellow of Yale University.

Career

He was a founding member of the Justice party, but contested for President on the platform of New Nigeria Peoples Party during the 2003 general elections.
He participated in research work on developing countries and lectured at the university level. While at the World Bank East Asia and Pacific Programmes Department, Kalu contributed significantly to micro- and macro- economic work on the economies of Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
He served in various official positions in Nigeria and outside of 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.