An Igbo-born public servant, Nwachinemere Kalu-Agba, has been re-elected as the Deputy Mayor (Mayor Pro Tem) of the City of Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA, marking another milestone in the growing political influence of the Nigerian diaspora in the United States.
Kalu-Agba, who previously held the same position during an earlier tenure, reclaimed the seat under the state’s rotational leadership rules. By law, the Mayor Pro Tem position in South Carolina cities is a two-year term, after which another council member must be elected. The outgoing Deputy Mayor cannot return to the role until two years have passed, after which they may contest again.
After completing his first two-year term, Kalu-Agba stepped aside in line with the law. Once the tenure of his successor expired, he was again elected by his peers on the City Council to serve as the Deputy Mayor—this time for a tenure that runs through 2027.
In addition to his deputy mayoral role, Kalu-Agba continues to serve simultaneously as the City Council representative for his district, a position he was elected to for a four-year term. His council seat will be up for election again in 2027, when, according to family sources, he will assess whether he still has the “energy and drive” to seek another four-year mandate.
Kalu-Agba’s re-election continues a growing trend of Nigerian-born leaders assuming major public offices abroad, especially in the United States where several Igbo-Americans now hold mayoral, legislative, and judicial roles.
His achievement has been widely celebrated in the Nigerian community, especially among Igbo groups at home and in the diaspora, who see his rise as further proof of the global impact of Nigerians.
