Tag: Benjamin Kalu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has underscored the urgent need for sustainable educational financing following the recent withdrawal of external funding by the United States through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Kalu, who delivered the convocation lecture at the University of Calabar over the weekend, highlighted the importance of domestic investment in education to mitigate the impact of dwindling foreign aid.

He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing education, describing the enactment of the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act as a significant achievement in expanding access to higher education in Nigeria.

He said “The withdrawal of USAID funding underscores the importance of domestic investment in education. As Nigeria advances with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, education remains a cornerstone of sustainable development.

“By prioritizing education and investing in our youth, we can propel Nigeria towards global competitiveness and achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda’s vision of a brighter future”.

Kalu emphasized the importance of education in achieving President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said aims to drive economic growth, infrastructure development, healthcare, agriculture, and digital innovation.

He said: “President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda envisions a future driven by economic growth, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and digital innovation. As the President aptly stated, “Education is that light at the end of the tunnel; no matter how sluggish you move, it will give you the light and the hope.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Education is the great equalizer—the bridge between potential and progress—yet financial barriers have long kept many talented Nigerians from reaching it.

“On April 3 2024, President Tinubu signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, a transformative policy designed to remove economic obstacles. This Act provides interest-free loans repayable only after employment, with special provisions for the disadvantaged, ensuring that every capable student has a fair chance to succeed.”

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Kalu also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a success story, having disbursed ₦23 billion in loans to 94,000 students in 2024.

The Deputy Speaker noted that the federal budget allocated ₦1.54 trillion to education in 2024 surpassing the ₦1.08 trillion allocated in 2023.

He added that the recently passed 2025 federal budget allocated ₦2.52 trillion to education, representing a 133.33% increase in educational investments.

“Consider the remarkable progress made by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which disbursed ₦23 billion in loans to 94,000 students in 2024. This milestone has not only improved access to education but also reaffirmed our commitment to empowering our youth.

“As new development commissions prepare their budgets, prioritizing education must be at the forefront. We must finance short, impactful programs in carpentry, plumbing, electrical engineering, and other trades to address the glaring gap in local expertise. By doing so, we create a workforce capable of transforming our towns and propelling Nigeria toward global competitiveness.

“In 2024, the federal budget allocated ₦1.54 trillion to education. This amount is higher than the N1.08 trillion the education ministry received in the 2023 budget. For the recently passed and signed 2025 federal budget, ₦2.52 trillion is allocated to education, a 133.33% increase in educational investments before his presidency”, he said.

The Deputy Speaker also stressed the need to empower women through education, adding that admissions into the university should be based on gender parity rather than geographical considerations.

“As we set our sights on Agenda 2075, it is time to rethink our approach to quotas in higher education. For the past five decades, admissions in Nigerian Universities have largely been determined by geography, a system that, while addressing regional disparities, has done little to harness the untapped potential of our female students.

“Instead of geographic quotas, we must prioritize gender parity to increase women’s participation in governance and leadership. Our quota system should serve as a tool for empowerment, ensuring that women—already the backbone of our homes as chief executive officers—step confidently into boardrooms and decision-making centers”, he said.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has challenged the board and management of the South East Development Commission to ensure prudent and transparent management of resources allocated to the commission in the overall interest of the region.

Kalu also challenged the Board and management not to play politics with their appointment, emphasising the importance of partnership and collaboration over politics for the success of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Speaking at a reception for the board and stakeholders engagement, Kalu urged the management to prioritize collective effort, driven by the values of hard work, integrity, and communal progress.

Represented by the Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi, Kalu said that the commission’s ultimate goal is to drive growth and development in the region.

Kalu stressed that the commission’s success relies on partnership, not politics, and encouraged collaboration across various sectors, including the private sector, diaspora, villages, cities, traditional institutions, and government.

He said: “The South East Development Commission is not just another institution; it is the engine room of renewal, the architect of a modern South East that matches our spirit of enterprise with the necessary infrastructure and support. It will rebuild what was broken, ignite industries, empower our youth, and give new life to the creative and technological prowess that has always defined us.

“We must remember that a river that forgets its source will soon run dry. As we embrace development, let us remain anchored in our values—hard work, integrity, and communal progress. The greatness of a people is not measured by the wealth of individuals but by the prosperity of the many.

‘That is why this commission is not just for the elite, the politically connected, or the privileged. It is for the trader in Ariaria, the farmer in Abakaliki, the artisan in Nnewi, the startup innovator in Enugu, and the student in Owerri who dreams of a future where talent—not location—determines success.

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“An Igbo proverb says there is strength in numbers. If the fingers of one hand come together, they form a mighty fist. Our strength has always been in our collective resolve. The Commission will not thrive on politics; it will thrive on partnership.

“From the private sector to the diaspora, from the villages to the cities, from the traditional institutions to the halls of government, we must stand together. This is not the time for division—it is the time for alignment”.

Kalu also charged the SEDC Board and management to utilize allocated funds wisely, ensuring transparency and projects that positively impact ordinary people’s lives.

He said “We must remain steadfast, ensuring that this commission delivers on its promise, that funds are used transparently, and that projects touch the lives of ordinary people”.

Kalu however expressed gratitude to his colleagues as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the bill that established the commission, ultimately fulfilling the promise of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation made to Ndi Igbo by the Gowon led federal government over 50 years ago.

“The journey to this moment was not without its trials, but history is always shaped by those who dare to persist. Along with my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives, I championed the South East Development Commission Bill—not as a mere legislative exercise, but as a moral imperative to address long-standing infrastructural deficits, economic stagnation, and the wounds of history that have yet to fully heal. It was a journey of debate, negotiation, and unwavering advocacy.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose assent to this bill demonstrates his deep understanding of governance as a tool for national unity and progress.

“In signing this bill into law, he has not only affirmed his commitment to equity but has also fulfilled, in tangible terms, the long-standing promise of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation (the 3Rs) made by General Yakubu Gowon over five decades ago.

“This is the mark of true leadership—one that listens, understands, and acts decisively in the interest of all Nigerians. Today, the South East is not just seen, but heard. Not just acknowledged, but empowered. And for that, Mr. President, we say thank you”, Kalu said.

Chairman of the 10th House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution Benjamin Kalu has assured of a people-oriented constitution at the end of the exercise.

Kalu, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, said this at the closing of a two-day retreat for members of the Committee in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.

He expressed gratitude to the members of the Committee for their commitment towards a successful exercise and urge them to remain committed.

He said: “We are so proud of you. On behalf of the speaker, on behalf of the representative, the leadership of the National Assembly, we found you worthy to make you members of this committee and you have not failed us.

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“From the time you took on this role, we knew it was a tough task. We know as well that time is of the essence in view the fact that we want to achieve the first tranche of our job before the period of election.

“But with the kind of team spirit that we have exhibited, the kind of dedication we have exhibited, it appears to us that the destination towards realizing this is in view. This is only because we held each other’s hand, only because we believed that Nigeria could be better than we met it. Only because we heard the cries of the people that we represent and we want their voices to be heard.

“So that truly the constitution that we want to be a people oriented constitution, as stated in the preamble of the constitution that we, the people of Nigeria, will indeed be a constitution that has the characterization of the people’s desire captured in it.

“You are the architect of the greater future of Nigeria. You are the cooks in the kitchen baking the best Nigeria that will be better than the one we have ever seen. Don’t give up. If you don’t get weary in this work, in no distant sign that Nigerians will reap from this.

“There may be challenges along the path of achieving this, but your dedication and determination and diligence has oiled the way towards the greater heights that’s in view.

“Please let this bonding among us continue. Let us not stop at these retreat. Let us be partners in progress towards making this dream realizable. Thank you for being my partners. The Speaker and I are proud of you.”

Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Akin Rotimi Jnr,

said the House is fully committed to ensuring that the process is inclusive, transparent, and reflective of the aspirations of all Nigerians.

“The constitutional review process is a complex and delicate undertaking that demands expertise, wisdom, and careful engagement with diverse stakeholders across ethnic, religious, and political lines. 

“Guided by our legislative agenda, we remain steadfast in delivering meaningful reforms under the capable leadership of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review who is a lawyer. 

“Nigerians can expect a thorough, well-considered, and impactful exercise that strengthens our democracy and fosters national development,” the House Spokesman said.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, has said that none of the 31 requests it received for state creation met the constitutional requirements.

Kalu, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, disclosed this during a two-day retreat for members of the Committee in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State yesterday.

The retreat, from February 20 to 23, 2025, served as a platform for reviewing pending amendment bills and strategising on the next steps in the constitutional review process.

It was organised by the 10th House in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and supported by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Acknowledging the importance of state creation in Nigeria’s governance discourse, Kalu noted that while the demands reflected the aspirations of various communities, they fell short of the legal criteria necessary for consideration.

He said in response, the committee extended the deadline for submissions to March 5, 2025, to allow for further input and possible revisions.

He said if need be, it can be extended further, depending on the outcome of the retreat.

He said the House Committee is currently reviewing 151 constitutional amendment bills, reflecting lawmakers’ collective effort to refine governance in Nigeria.

While some bills have progressed to the second reading, others remain at the first stage, he said.

“Although we have received 31 requests for state creation, none of these requests met the constitutional requirements for amendment.

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“Therefore, we have since extended the submission date to 5th of March, 2025. But this retreat could in our resolution extend it further if we find out that there are still challenges that the people we represent in their efforts to make their voices heard.

“So at the end of this retreat, it will be one of the things we will look into; whether or not we will extend the time. But let it be a notice that none of the applications followed the conditions laid out by Section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Kalu said.

Kalu highlighted a major challenge in the review process, which is duplication.

He said some bills addressed similar issues under different sponsors, while others overlapped in subject matter.

To streamline efforts and eliminate redundancy, he said the committee categorized the bills into thematic areas.

The thematic areas are Federal Structure and Power Devolution, Local Government Autonomy, Public Revenue, Fiscal Federation, and Revenue Allocation, Nigerian Police and Security Architecture, Comprehensive Judicial Reforms, Electoral Reforms, Gender Issues and Human Rights as well as state creation.

The categorization, according to Kalu, would help lawmakers prioritise amendments based on national interest and legislative relevance.

Recognising the intersection between constitutional amendments and electoral laws, he said the committee invited the leadership of both the House and Senate Committees on Electoral Matters to the retreat.

 Kalu emphasised that any proposed changes to the Electoral Act requiring constitutional alterations must pass through the Committee.

“A proactive, cooperative approach will ensure seamless legislative processes and comprehensive legal reforms,” he said.

As part of the next phase of the constitutional review, he said the committee has scheduled Zonal and National Public Hearings across the six geopolitical zones.

These hearings, be said, will provide an avenue for Nigerians to contribute to the amendment process.

The hearings are set to take place in the North Central (Nasarawa and Niger States), North East (Borno and Gombe States), North West (Kaduna and Sokoto States), South East (Enugu and Imo States), South South (Bayelsa and Cross River States), and the South West (Lagos and Ondo States).

Kalu urged lawmakers to engage with these bills diligently and objectively to ensure that the final amendments reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

“As legislators, we must ensure the voices of Nigerians are reflected in our constitutional reforms,” he said.

Kalu promised a renewed commitment to a transparent and inclusive constitutional review process.

He expressed confidence that the committee’s deliberations would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and governance structure.

Executive Director of PLAC, Mr Clement Nwankwo, said they have been very delighted to work with and support the Committee.

“We are quite confident that this committee intends to deliver on the mandate that it has set for itself and for us it will be a key and great win to see the amendments to the constitution delivered within the timeframe that this committee has set.

“We’re looking forward to great deliberations. My colleagues who are co-consultants with me on this project have been meeting over several the last couple of months to deliberate and come up with suggestions for this committee to look at,” he said.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has reduced the nation’s debt servicing burden from 96% of its revenue in 2023 to 67%, recording a breakthrough in its efforts to manage its debt.

Speaking on the topic, “The Debt Crisis and the SDGs: Proposals for Sustainable Solutions” at the just concluded Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2025 parliamentary hearing in New York, Kalu said efforts of the Tinubu government has yielded a significant reduction in the nation’s debt burden.

According to him, this significant reduction has created fiscal space for investments in critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure, which are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Deputy Speaker who represented the country at the just concluded Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2025 Parliamentary Hearing in New York said the achievement is a testament to the country’s commitment to sustainable development and debt management.

Kalu highlighted the contributions of the Nigerian parliament, saying that the legislature has strengthed its oversight roles.

He said: “Nigeria faces a dual crisis: soaring public debt (₦97.34 trillion/$108 billion as of 2024) and constrained fiscal space for SDG investments.

“Key issues include debt Servicing Burden: 96% of 2023 revenue was spent on debt servicing, crowding out health, education, and infrastructure budgets but the President Tinubu administration significantly reduced this debt servicing to budget ratio to 67%. Credit Rating Challenges: biased methodologies by global CRAs (e.g., S&P, Moody’s) inflate borrowing costs, costing Nigeria an estimated $1.5 billion annually in excess interest. SDG Trade-offs: Debt pressures delay critical projects like renewable energy grids and universal healthcare, jeopardizing Nigeria’s 2030 Agenda commitments.

“The National Assembly is currently reviewing the Fiscal Responsibility Act to enforce debt ceilings and transparency.

“The House of Representatives through my office is actively working on reforms to leverage philanthropy and impact investing for SDG-aligned debt management.

“To achieve this reduction, we have implemented several measures, including strengthening parliamentary oversight, regulating the financial sector, and promoting innovative financing solutions.

“We are committed to continuing on this path and ensuring that our debt management practices are transparent, accountable, and aligned with our development goals.”

The Deputy Speaker explained that Nigeria’s debt reduction efforts have also been driven by its commitment to the SDGs, which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all, adding that the country has been working to align its debt management practices with the SDGs, and has made significant progress.

In addition to its domestic efforts, Kalu stressed that Nigeria is also seeking global cooperation to address the debt crisis and promote sustainable development.

“The country is advocating for SDG-linked debt relief and is lobbying the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for SDG Conditional Debt Clauses to allow for payment pauses in times of crisis.

“Nigeria is also calling on OECD nations to criminalize vulture fund litigation against low-income countries and is partnering with the African Union to establish an African Credit Rating Agency (ACRA) to provide more accurate credit ratings for African countries.

“We believe that global cooperation and collective action are necessary to achieve our development goals and address the debt crisis,” said Deputy Speaker Kalu. “We must work together to create a more equitable and prosperous world for all.

“Nigeria’s National Assembly is uniquely positioned to model how parliaments can combat the debt-SDG crisis through rigorous oversight, financial sector reforms, and global advocacy.

“By institutionalizing debt transparency, championing fair credit ratings, and innovating SDG-aligned financing, Nigeria can turn its debt burden into a springboard for sustainable development. The IPU in 2025 must amplify these strategies to avert a lost decade for the SDGs”.

In another presentation on “International Trade for the SDGs: The Challenge of Poverty Eradication Through Export-led Growth, Kalu listed the key challenges Nigeria faces including trade marginalization as non-oil sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, tech) face tariff/non-tariff barriers, stifling export diversification.

He also said that despite ratifying the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), bureaucratic bottlenecks and infrastructure deficits limit Nigeria’s competitiveness, adding that biased arbitration mechanisms deter Nigeria from regulating foreign investors in sectors like mining and tech, risking public welfare.

Kalu however said that the House of Representatives has now prioritized laws to diversify exports, streamline business registration, and leverage AfCFTA through agenda number 4 in its recently released legislative agenda for the years 2023-2027.

He further explained that the 2023 Finance Act introduced tax breaks for agro-processing and renewable energy exports to align trade with SDGs 1 (poverty) and 9 (industry).

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On trade and digital economy, Kalu said “House of Representatives is working closely with META and AfriLabs to generate legislative interventions that provide incentives or exemptions from digital service taxes on Nigerian tech platforms to enable more trade on digital platforms in the country while still meeting Nigeria’s domestic revenue generation targets”.

On another presentation, Kalu submitted that Nigeria’s renewed focus on expanding and mobilizing domestic public resources is central to achieving the 2030 Agenda.

According to him, robust tax systems underpin investments in critical public goods—such as infrastructure, health, and education—which in turn drive poverty reduction, economic growth, and increased public trust.

He also highlighted some recent legislative developments in Nigeria, while applauding the recent passage of four tax bills to second reading in the House of Representatives.

He said: “In 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu transmitted four key tax reform bills to the National Assembly: Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

“These proposals seek to modernize tax administration by harmonizing taxes, consolidating revenue agencies, and integrating advanced technology for enhanced compliance.

“The green chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly, the House of Representatives recently passed the four tax reform bills for a second reading and have been referred to the Finance Committee of the House for further legislative work.

“Nigeria’s proactive approach to tax reform—through centralized tax collection, comprehensive VAT modifications, and broader international cooperation—positions the country to better mobilize domestic resources in support of the SDGs.

“While the reform proposals present significant opportunities for enhanced fiscal sustainability, their successful implementation requires rigorous oversight and transparent governance, investment in technological and human capacity, and a balanced approach to innovative taxes that considers both revenue needs and economic equity.

“By addressing these challenges, Nigeria can set a robust precedent for transforming domestic tax systems into engines of sustainable development and fiscal resilience and this precedent can be adopted by other IPU member countries (parliaments)”, Kalu said.