The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has pledged full support for Fourah Bay College’s bicentennial celebration, following a presentation by the College’s Bicentennial Anniversary Committee on planned activities, fundraising strategies, and legacy projects ahead of the 200th anniversary in 2027.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College (FBC), Prof. Andrew Baio, thanked the ministry for hosting the them, noting that the meeting was intended to update stakeholders on the committee’s progress and seek the ministry’s support with regards the bicentennial programme. He noted that Fourah Bay College was once a major source of national pride and expressed hope that the celebrations would help restore its historic standing. Prof. Baio introduced Prof. Aisha Fofanah Ibrahim as Chairperson of the Bicentennial Anniversary Committee, with the Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education serving as Co-Chair.
Presenting on behalf of the committee, Prof. Ibrahim outlined progress made so far, including the expansion of the committee into seven subcommittees to improve coordination. She disclosed that the bicentennial celebration will feature ten days of activities in 2027 to accommodate alumni from the diaspora. Planned events include a special convocation and awards ceremony, thanksgiving service, march-past, sponsored walk, dinner and dance, carnival, sports competitions, cultural programmes, academic conferences, alumni engagements, and job fairs.
She added that fundraising efforts will run from February this year to February 2027 to support both the celebration and long-term development projects.
Responding, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, commended the committee’s efforts and described the bicentennial as a chance to reshape the narrative around Fourah Bay College. She emphasized the need to mobilize alumni locally and internationally through innovative fundraising, strategic use of merchandise, and stronger social media engagement. Dr. Wurie reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the programme and disclosed plans to leverage cabinet-level support, noting that several senior government officials are alumni or closely connected to the institution.
The Deputy Minister, Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, called for broader collaboration across public universities, proposing that the bicentennial be positioned as a national higher education milestone rather than an FBC-only event.
Permanent Secretary, Mohamed Sheick Kargbo, stressed the urgent need to better mobilize FBC alumni, particularly online, and encouraged the committee to focus on practical, visible projects that would attract wider support.
Director of Public Relations at the University of Sierra Leone, Dr. Hindolo Tonya Musa, said engagement with alumni groups and clubs would be deepened through town halls and structured discussions, noting that well-organized foundations of FBC would be very effective at mobilizing contributions. He added that, following the official launch, efforts would focus on popularizing the initiative nationwide and internationally.
The meeting ended with assurances of continued collaboration between MTHE and the FBC Bicentennial Anniversary Committee as preparations advance toward wider public engagement.
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