*FBC UNVEILS AMBITIOUS HOSTEL EXPANSION AS CORNERSTONE OF BICENTENNIAL LEGACY*

University Appeals to Investors to Support Bankable Student Accommodation Project

28th June 2026

The designs are nearing completion, the Bill of Quantities is on the horizon, and a transformative vision is steadily taking shape. As Fourah Bay College (FBC) prepares to enter its third century of academic excellence, the institution is moving decisively to confront one of its most pressing challenges: *the shortage of modern, secure, and well-equipped student accommodation*.

With the countdown underway to the historic Bicentennial celebration on 18 February 2027, the University Administration is issuing a compelling appeal to investors at home and abroad to partner in *what it describes as a strategic, bankable, and income-generating infrastructure initiative.*

For decades, demand for on-campus accommodation at West Africa’s oldest university college has significantly outpaced available capacity, forcing many students to endure long commutes or rely on inadequate private housing. *The proposed hostel expansion project seeks to reverse that reality by constructing modern student residences equipped with world-class amenities for both male and female students.*

The development forms a central pillar of FBC’s broader “Next 100 Years” transformation agenda.

*A Vision for Modern Student Living*

“We cannot modernize Fourah Bay College for the next century without dramatically increasing student access to quality hostel accommodation,” the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Baio emphasized while outlining the administration’s infrastructure vision.

*“This is not merely about beds; it is about creating a conducive living and learning environment that attracts the brightest minds from across Sierra Leone and the wider West African sub-region. To compete globally, we must house our students with dignity, safety, and comfort.”*

The vision is strongly supported by the *Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Aiah R. Lebbie*, who views the hostel expansion project as both a transformative welfare initiative and a sustainable investment opportunity capable of generating significant long-term revenue.

The administration believes the project presents attractive prospects for private-sector investors, development finance institutions, alumni, and diaspora partners seeking to support higher education while participating in a viable commercial venture.

*Building on Existing Progress*

The proposed expansion builds on important progress already achieved by the University Administration in recent years.

Existing hostel facilities currently accommodate approximately *1,220 students across 610 rooms*. Recent infrastructure improvements , including water boreholes installed through the support of alumnus Scott Davies, have significantly improved living conditions on campus. The restoration of the Gloucester Dam will also strengthen water access and reinforce the institution’s commitment to improving student and staff welfare.

*Despite these gains, current accommodation capacity remains far below growing student demand.*

The new hostel development aims to substantially expand available housing while *introducing purpose-built, internationally competitive facilities capable of positioning Fourah Bay College as a preferred destination for students across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region*.

*A Strategic and Bankable Investment*

University authorities stress that the hostel project is not simply a *welfare initiative, but a carefully conceived, financially sustainable investment designed to generate recurring income while improving educational delivery and student experience*.

“This is not a request for charity,” the administration noted. *“It is an invitation to partnership built on shared interests, mutual benefit, and national development.”*

Revenue generated through hostel accommodation and associated services is expected to provide long-term financial sustainability while supporting broader institutional development goals.

The University Administration is therefore appealing to private corporations, public institutions, development agencies, alumni associations, and Fourabites in the diaspora to seize the opportunity to participate in this landmark initiative.

“An investment in Fourah Bay College is an investment in the future of Sierra Leone,” the Deputy Vice-Chancellor emphasized. “Our alumni are your leaders, innovators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and skilled workforce. A stronger Fourah Bay College ultimately means a stronger nation.”

*The Time to Act is Now*

With the Bicentennial celebration drawing closer, momentum continues to build around the College’s ambitious infrastructure renewal agenda. The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education has already pledged institutional support, while fundraising and partnership engagements are expected to continue through February 2027.

The administration confirmed that detailed architectural designs will soon be publicly unveiled, followed by the release of the Bill of Quantities as preparations advance toward implementation.

Fourah Bay College is now calling on all stakeholders to step forward and become part of a historic legacy project that will house and inspire future generations of African leaders, scholars, innovators, and professionals.

As FBC approaches two centuries of existence, the hostel expansion project represents more than construction. *It symbolizes renewal, opportunity, and a bold commitment to shaping the future of higher education in Sierra Leone and beyond*.

©️ *Dr Tonya Musa* 
Director of Communication and International Relations University of Sierra Leone