*FBC’s Bicentenary Push: $5.8 Million Road Rehabilitation Project

28th June 2026

As Fourah Bay College (FBC) prepares to celebrate 200 years of academic excellence in February 2027, the institution has *launched an urgent appeal for a transformative US$5.775 million road rehabilitation project* , a flagship legacy investment aimed at securing the future of the historic “Athens of West Africa.”

The deteriorating road network traversing the historic Mount Aureol campus and its access corridors has emerged as one of the greatest threats to the successful hosting of the Bicentenary celebrations, which are expected to attract His Excellency the President, diplomatic missions, international development partners, alumni, and thousands of visitors from across Africa and the global academic community.

*A Leadership United by Vision*

Spearheading the ambitious campaign is *Professor Andrew Baio, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Fourah Bay College*, who has embarked on an extensive nationwide mobilization drive, engaging Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), private-sector institutions, alumni, and development partners to build strategic support for what he describes as “building the next 100 years” of FBC.

“We are not simply commemorating the past; we are constructing the future,” Professor Baio declared. “These are strategic investments that will position Fourah Bay College for another century of excellence. This is a national project, and we are calling on the government , all Fourabites and partners to contribute meaningfully to this historic transformation.”

Standing alongside Professor Baio is *Professor Aiah R. Lebbie, Vice-Chancellor and Principal* of the University of Sierra Leone, who has championed the Bicentenary as a catalyst for comprehensive institutional renewal. Since assuming office in 2024 with a mandate to reform and strengthen governance structures, Professor Lebbie has prioritized infrastructure transformation as central to the university’s long-term development agenda.

Addressing the University Court, *Professor Lebbie* issued a strong appeal to the Government of Sierra Leone, the private sector, alumni, and international development partners to rally behind the nation’s oldest university college through sustained financial and institutional support.

Together, Professors Baio and Lebbie represent a united leadership committed to bridging FBC’s glorious past with its future promise.

*A Road Network in Crisis*

The urgency of the intervention is undeniable.

The roads linking the Gloucester community to the main campus and extending toward Berry Street, together with several internal campus roads, have suffered severe deterioration as a result of aging infrastructure, increased traffic pressure, inadequate drainage systems, and years of limited maintenance investment.

The current conditions present serious concerns relating to accessibility, mobility, safety, environmental sustainability, and the overall image of the institution. Heavy commercial traffic, including trucks servicing surrounding communities such as Model, Sky Junction, and IMATT , has accelerated the rapid deterioration of the roads, while uncontrolled vehicular movement has contributed to accidents involving students and damage to property.

The proposed project includes:

- Rehabilitation and reconstruction of approximately five kilometres of roads;
- Construction of modern drainage systems and culvert structures;
- Installation of road safety facilities;
- Improvement of pedestrian accessibility; and
- Landscaping and environmental enhancement works.

A US$5.8 Million Investment in National Heritage

The estimated cost of the project stands at US$5.775 million (approximately NLe 144.38 million), covering:

- Engineering design and supervision — US$350,000;
- Road rehabilitation and reconstruction works — US$3.75 million;
- Drainage and culvert construction — US$900,000;
- Road safety measures — US$150,000;
- Landscaping and environmental enhancement — US$100,000; and
- Physical contingencies — US$525,000.

Beyond road construction, the project represents a strategic investment in national heritage, educational development, institutional resilience, and Sierra Leone’s international image.

A modern, safe, and aesthetically improved campus environment is expected to enhance the reputation of Fourah Bay College and Sierra Leone globally, improve access to academic and administrative facilities, stimulate local employment, and create a more conducive environment for teaching, learning, and research.

*The Bicentenary Beckons*

Founded on 18 February 1827 by the Church Missionary Society, Fourah Bay College remains the oldest institution of higher learning in Sub-Saharan Africa. For nearly two centuries, it has produced generations of leaders, scholars, jurists, diplomats, clergy, and professionals who have shaped Sierra Leone and the African continent.

The Bicentenary celebration represents a once-in-a-generation national milestone.

As Professor Baio emphasized:

*“While our legacy is strong, our infrastructure must be reborn to match the grandeur of our history and the demands of our next century.”*

The Administration of Fourah Bay College has formally submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Finance, appealing to the Government of Sierra Leone to provide the requisite financing for this strategic national undertaking.

*“History will remember the Bicentenary of Fourah Bay College as a defining moment in the life of our nation. It presents a rare opportunity for the Government of Sierra Leone to inscribe its name indelibly in the next chapter of this great institution by delivering a flagship legacy project that will stand as a testament to visionary leadership and national pride.”*

The Bicentenary comes only once. The opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for Sierra Leone’s premier institution of higher learning is now.

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