Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker Takes Helm of Pan-African Parliament’s Key Financial Committee

In a significant nod to his legislative prowess, Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has been elected Chairman of the Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP). The announcement came on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, during a session of the PAP in Midrand, South Africa, with Hon. Senator Christine Mwando Katempa from the Democratic Republic of Congo appointed as Deputy Chairman. This development marks a milestone for Nigeria, reinforcing its influence within African parliamentary circles and highlighting Kalu’s growing stature as a regional leader.

A Prestigious Role for West Africa

The Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee is one of the PAP’s most critical bodies, tasked with overseeing budgetary matters and offering economic policy advice across the African Union (AU). The chairmanship, a high-profile position reserved for the West African caucus, became vacant after Ghana’s Hon. Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak stepped down following his appointment as a minister in his home country. Kalu’s elevation to this role underscores Nigeria’s strategic importance in the AU and reflects confidence in his ability to steer the committee’s agenda.

The appointment wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. It followed a meticulous nomination process led by the West African Caucus, chaired by Hon. Alhagie Mbow of The Gambia. The caucus’s endorsement was unanimous, with Mbow’s letter—read aloud on the PAP floor by President Hon. Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira—praising Kalu as “the most qualified person for the job.” The plenary’s approval cemented his leadership, a testament to his track record in Nigeria’s National Assembly, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), where he currently heads a steering committee.

Kalu’s Journey to the Top

Benjamin Kalu isn’t a newcomer to parliamentary leadership. As Deputy Speaker, he has spearheaded initiatives in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, earning recognition for his focus on legislative reform and economic development. His role as head of Nigeria’s delegation to the PAP further showcased his diplomatic finesse, bridging national and continental priorities. The West African Caucus highlighted his contributions at ECOWAS, where he’s championed regional integration and economic policies, as a blueprint for what he can achieve at the PAP.

Internationally, Kalu’s work has caught the eye of bodies like the IPU, where his leadership on a steering committee has tackled global parliamentary challenges. This blend of local and international experience likely tipped the scales in his favor, positioning him as a bridge between Nigeria’s domestic goals and Africa’s broader economic aspirations.

The Committee’s Mandate and Immediate Action

The Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee isn’t a ceremonial outfit—it’s a powerhouse within the PAP. Its responsibilities include scrutinizing the PAP’s budget drafts, reviewing the AU’s financial framework, and advising on monetary and investment policies continent-wide. With up to 275 members representing the AU’s 55 member states, the PAP serves as a legislative voice for Africa, aiming to foster governance and economic unity. Kalu’s committee will play a pivotal role in shaping these efforts, especially as the PAP eyes a future with full legislative powers elected through universal suffrage.

Kalu hit the ground running. Shortly after his election, the committee’s agenda included a review of the PAP’s proposed 2026 budget—an early signal of his intent to dive into the nitty-gritty of financial oversight. This proactive start suggests a tenure focused on tangible outcomes, from streamlining budgets to addressing economic disparities across Africa.

What This Means for Nigeria and Africa

Kalu’s rise isn’t just a personal win—it’s a boost for Nigeria’s standing in African affairs. As the continent’s largest economy, Nigeria often seeks to flex its diplomatic muscle, and having one of its own at the helm of a key PAP committee strengthens that leverage. The role offers a platform to influence AU financial policies, potentially aligning them with Nigeria’s interests, like boosting trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) or securing more equitable climate funding.

For Africa, Kalu’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment. The continent faces economic headwinds— inflation, debt burdens, and uneven growth—while striving to unify its markets and amplify its global voice. The Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee, under Kalu, could push for policies that prioritize local resource mobilization over external dependency, a shift many African leaders have long advocated. His experience in ECOWAS, where cross-border economic cooperation is a constant focus, could inform strategies to harmonize financial systems across AU states.

Challenges Ahead

Kalu’s new role isn’t without its hurdles. The PAP, established in 2004, remains an advisory body with limited enforcement power, a frustration for those who envision it as a fully legislative entity. Navigating this constraint will test his ability to wield influence through persuasion rather than authority. Additionally, balancing the diverse economic priorities of 55 nations—from oil-rich Nigeria to smaller, agrarian economies—will demand diplomatic savvy and compromise.

Within Nigeria, Kalu’s expanded responsibilities might spark debates about focus. Can he juggle his duties as Deputy Speaker with this continental role? Supporters argue his multitasking reflects Nigeria’s ambition to lead on multiple fronts, while skeptics may question the bandwidth of one leader to deliver effectively across such scopes.

A Broader Context

The PAP itself is a fascinating experiment in pan-African governance. Modeled partly on the European Parliament, it seeks to give Africans a direct say in continental affairs. Each member state sends up to five representatives, including at least one woman, selected by national legislatures. While its current powers are advisory, the long-term goal is a parliament elected by universal suffrage—a dream that Kalu’s tenure could nudge closer to reality.

His election also reflects West Africa’s growing clout within the AU. With Nigeria and Ghana often vying for regional leadership, Kalu’s ascent builds on a legacy of influence, following in the footsteps of figures like Mubarak. It’s a reminder that Africa’s political landscape is as much about regional dynamics as it is about continental unity.

Looking Forward

As Kalu settles into his chairmanship, expectations are high. His immediate focus on the 2026 budget hints at a pragmatic approach, but broader questions loom: Can he drive financial reforms that uplift Africa’s poorest nations? Will he leverage Nigeria’s economic weight to push for continent-wide gains? And how will he navigate the PAP’s evolution amid calls for greater authority?

For now, his election is a moment of pride for Nigeria and a signal of intent for Africa. Kalu’s blend of experience, ambition, and regional backing positions him to leave a mark—not just on the PAP, but on the continent’s economic trajectory. As he steps into this role, the spotlight is firmly on him to deliver results that resonate from Midrand to Abuja and beyond.

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