Parliamentary Diplomacy refers to a category of international diplomacy where members of national parliaments engage with colleagues from other countries to foster dialogue, understanding and stronger bilateral cooperation.
In an era where diplomacy is no longer confined to executive channels, Parliamentary Diplomacy plays major roles in promoting dialogue, strengthening relationships, shaping legislation that influence policies and international treaties, arbitration and conflict resolution, as well as global consensus on issues such as climate change, trade, security and human capital development. It complements conventional diplomacy and enhances sustainable development and global peace initiatives.
Keeping with foundations laid by notable leaders including Femi Gbajabiamila and Tajudeen Abbas, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie kalu stands today as Nigeria’s most visible and effective legislative diplomat.
As Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, he has consistently bridged the gap between domestic lawmaking and global policymaking, placing Nigeria squarely at the heart of high-level parliamentary engagement and international trade discourse. Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie kalu, PhD, LLD, CFR, has distinguished himself as one of the country’s most influential legislative diplomats in recent memory.
In a career defined by bridge-building, he has seamlessly merged the responsibilities of national lawmaking with the demands of global policymaking. His appointment to several international missions is more than a personal milestone. It represents a historic era for Nigeria.
For the first time, a Nigerian legislator sits at the helm of some of the most important parliamentary forums on global trade governance. With these roles, Rt. Hon. Kalu carries not only the hopes of a nation, but the broader aspirations of a continent striving for a stranger voice in the mechanisms of global commerce.
His presence on prestigious global platforms is a powerful affirmation of the role that parliamentary diplomacy can play in shaping international outcomes. In contrast to traditional diplomacy, which often takes place behind closed doors in executive chambers, parliamentary diplomacy adds a public-facing, citizen-centred dimension to international engagement. It enables elected representatives to advocate directly for the interests of their constituents on issues such as trade, security, climate change, and technology, realities that increasingly defy national borders.
Deputy speaker Kalu’s interventions at international fora and parliamentary assemblies exemplify these dynamics. He has used these global platforms to advocate for trade justice, equitable investment, and African inclusion in the design of new economic norms. His speeches, negotiations, and working group collaborations reflect a deep understanding of both national development goals and global institutional frameworks.
In doing so, he is not only asserting Nigeria’s sovereign interests, but also reinforcing the value of legislative leadership in multilateral diplomacy. Beyond advocacy, parliamentary diplomacy also opens pathways for practical cooperation, technical assistance, legislative exchange, institutional capacity building and access to reform models that can be adapted to national contexts.
Hon. Kalu has leveraged these opportunities to support Nigeria’s constitutional reform process, economic revitalization agenda, and broader push for good governance. Whether engaging bilateral partners, leading Nigeria delegations, or participating in thematic working groups, he has consistently advanced a vision of Nigeria as a serious, collaborative, and principled actor in global affairs.
This is especially critical at a time when Nigeria is understanding profound economic and social transformation. With challenges ranging from inflation to insecurity, energy transition to digital equity, the need for sophisticated, multidimensional diplomacy has never been greater. Rt. Hon. Kalu’s work reflects this urgency. His international engagements underscore a conviction that Nigeria’s future depends not only on internal reforms, but on its ability to negotiate, partner, and lead within the global system.
In Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Nigeria has found a parliamentary statesman who understands the stakes of our moment. Through his legislative diplomacy, he is not merely representing a nation, he is reimagining what it means for Nigeria to speak, act, and lead on the global stage.
Adapted from the compendium ‘Rt. Hon. Benjamin O. Kalu, PhD, CFR: Two Years of Transformational Leadership as Deputy Speaker’
