By Onu Uche
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s contributions to the education sector, both as a two-term Governor of Abia State and as the current Senator for Abia North, are widely regarded as foundational to Nigeria’s long-term socio-economic development.
As governor from 1999 to 2007, Kalu introduced a far-reaching free education programme covering primary to secondary levels and extending subsidies to university students. He backed the policy with massive infrastructure investments—renovating over 821 schools, constructing 524 new classrooms, and supplying more than 155,000 desks and other essential materials. His administration also launched a fleet of free student buses and distributed school kits to thousands of pupils across the state.
Kalu’s tenure also saw the transformation of the Aba General Hospital into the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) and major funding increases for Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, helping the institution regain full accreditation for several faculties. Remarkably, under his leadership, teachers never embarked on industrial action—a testament to consistent salary payments and constructive engagement with staff unions.
Beyond infrastructure, Kalu prioritised human capital development through scholarships and grants. His government and personal foundation awarded thousands of scholarships, including to international institutions, particularly for students in science and medicine.
As Senator, Kalu has continued this legacy, deploying constituency funds to reconstruct over 100 classroom blocks, rehabilitate abandoned schools, and distribute learning kits to schoolchildren across Abia North.
Through the Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation, he has expanded access to higher education by sponsoring students to study abroad, including in South America, China, and Europe.
Legislatively, he has championed education-focused reforms in the National Assembly. Notably, he sponsored the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, aimed at expanding access to quality education and ensuring sustained federal funding for basic schooling and school feeding programmes.
Onu Uche writes from Ndi Ibe Ohafia, Abia State.
