Alex Otti Appoints Benjamin Kalu’s Wife as ABSUTH Board Chairman

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has appointed Mrs. (Dr.) Nkechi Kalu, wife of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, as the Chairman of the Board of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH).

The appointment was confirmed on April 22, 2026, as part of a broader restructuring of key health institutions in the state aimed at strengthening healthcare administration and improving service delivery.

Mrs. Kalu, a medical professional, is expected to oversee policy direction and governance at ABSUTH, one of the state’s major tertiary health institutions located in Aba, Abia State.

The appointment has attracted political attention due to her relationship with the Deputy Speaker, though the state government maintains that selections are based on competence and capacity to contribute to institutional reform.

ABSUTH plays a critical role in medical training and healthcare delivery in Abia State and the wider South-East region, serving as a referral centre for complex medical cases.

The development reflects Governor Otti’s ongoing efforts to reposition the state’s health sector through strategic board appointments, even as political observers continue to assess the intersection of governance decisions and political affiliations in the state.