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] Owerri, imo State
Nationality	Nigerian
Alma mater	Kings College Lagos[2] University of Wisconsin

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.^[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.