Ndubuisi Kanu was born on November 3, 1943 in Ovim Village, Isuikwuato, Abia State. He belonged to the Igbo tribe and attended the Enugu Methodist Primary School. He joined the Navy in 1962 and went to India for cadet training. His maritime career included positions in human resources, logistics and training. Kanu fought alongside the Biafran forces in the Nigerian Civil War.
In July 1975 he was appointed commander-in-chief in the cabinet of the Murtala Muhammed or Supreme Military Council government. Under Military President Olusegun Obasanjo (who assumed office in February 1976), Kanu was appointed military governor of Imo State in March 1976. He urged urban planners to prepare a development plan for the state capital, Owerri, and constructed new roads in the state. Kanu increased the number of local government areas in the state to 21 and also established the Imo Broadcasting Service (now Imo Broadcasting Corporation).
Kanu was posted to Lagos State as military governor in 1977 and held that position until July 1978.He then became a rear admiral and served in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Kanu married three times and had ten children. From 1993 until his death he was married to Chief Lady Gladys Kanu (née Uzodike). As the story goes, Kanu died on January 13, 2021 due to complications related to the Covid-19 virus.