A Nigerian Kelechi Madu Becomes Canada’s First Black Justice Minister

A Nigerian lawyer has been appointed Canada's new minister of justice and solicitor general for the province of Alberta on 26 August 2020.  Mr Kelechi (Kaycee) Madu is the first black man to occupy a ministerial post at that level in Canadian history. 

Alberta's premier described the appointment as making a powerful statement at a time of increasing sensitivity to racial prejudice. 

Mr Madu in response to the appointment said, "I've always said my story could only have been possible in my province of Alberta...

I love my home country, Nigeria, but there is no question that I look forward to a day when my fellow countrymen and women in that country can achieve their God-given potential, regardless of the part of the country they come from and regardless of who their parents are." 

The 47-year-old newly appointed Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Canada was born and raised in the South-eastern part of Nigeria. Madu attained his Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) honors degree at the University of Lagos where he was later called to the bar in his home country. 

His life in Canada began when he and his wife migrated to the country for his wife’s postgraduate studies at the University of Alberta. 

A solicitor with experience in litigation practice, Madu runs a small law firm with his wife in the city. He has experience from other sectors as well as working with Alberta Hospital – Patients Food Services, Legal Aid Alberta, and the Government of Alberta. 

Madu’s work in government “spans through employment standards investigations, strategic and operational public policy, regulatory and legislative reforms, governmental issues management and stakeholder consultation.” 

Madu is a committed family man with three children and loves to travel. He supports community development and politics, public policy, and international affairs. He is one to also give back to the community in different ways. 

He volunteers with the Edmonton Community Legal Center (ECLC) and the Law Society of Alberta Lawyer Referral Program. He is a member of the cultural association, the Igbo Cultural Association of Edmonton, and he supports his community league activities and his church.