*FBC BICENTENARY: A 200-YEAR LEGACY CALLS ALL ALUMNI TO RETURN, CELEBRATE, AND INVEST*

21st June 2026

Fourah Bay College, the University of Sierra Leone, one of  the oldest universities in West Africa, is preparing for a historic year-long bicentenary celebration spanning 2026–2027. The institution is calling on alumni across the globe to return home, reconnect with their alma mater, and contribute to shaping the next chapter of its remarkable legacy.

Under the leadership of Vice Chancellor and Principal, *Professor Aiah Randolph Lebbie and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (FBC) Professor Andrew Baio , the college is organizing an ambitious series of events to commemorate 200 years of academic excellence, leadership, unity, and national service. *The celebrations will run from February 18, 2026, to April 11, 2027.*

*A Celebration Worthy of a Historic Legacy*

The bicentenary calendar features a rich blend of academic, cultural, religious, and social activities designed to unite generations of FBCians and celebrate the institution’s enduring impact.

Planned events include a grand cocktail launch, flag-raising ceremonies, interfaith prayer services, float parades, Africana Night in the United Kingdom, beach fiestas, athletics competitions, talent showcases, and a vibrant carnival celebration. The grand finale in April 2027 will feature a special convocation ceremony, high-level conferences, inter-varsity games, and thanksgiving services in both church and mosque, reflecting FBC’s long-standing tradition of unity and inclusiveness.

*“Our Legacy. Our Future.”*

Speaking on the significance of the bicentenary, *Prof. Lebbie* described the celebration as more than a reflection on the institution’s past achievements.

*“This is not merely a celebration of our history,”* he said. “It is a launchpad for the future. We are calling on every graduate who has passed through these halls to return, reconnect, and reinvest in the institution that helped shape their lives and careers.”

Prof. Baio emphasized that the bicentenary presents a unique opportunity to strengthen alumni engagement, improve infrastructure, expand research opportunities, and establish scholarships for future generations.

*“We want every Fourahbite to feel a sense of ownership in this historic milestone,” he noted. *“Every contribution, large or small, will directly support projects aimed at preserving our heritage and expanding our impact.”*

*A Global Call to All Fourahbites*

The Alumni Association has already begun mobilizing activities worldwide. Alumni chapters in the United Kingdom are preparing an Africana Night, while current students are organizing a Beach Fiesta and several campus-based events. Additional activities will include sponsored walks, tours of the historic campus and Mabang site, and friendly competitions among student associations, fraternities, and sororities.

The success of the bicentenary celebrations, however, will depend greatly on the active participation and financial support of alumni and friends of the institution around the world.

Whether you graduated in the 1960s or the 2020s, and whether you reside in Freetown, London, New York, Accra, or elsewhere, this is a defining moment to reconnect with the college and contribute to its future.

*How Alumni Can Contribute*

*Participate:*
Join the float parade, football gala, thanksgiving march-past, and other commemorative activities. Bring your family, reconnect with former classmates, and relive cherished memories.

*Support the Bicentenary Fund:*
Contribute to the Bicentenary Endowment Fund to support infrastructure development, research initiatives, and student bursaries. Every Leone, Dollar, Euro, or Pound will help build a stronger future for the institution.

Mentor and Network:
Use the celebrations as an opportunity to mentor current students, strengthen professional networks, and forge partnerships that will advance FBC for generations to come.

*A Proud Past, A Purposeful Present, A Greater Future*

Guided by the theme *“Proud Past. Purposeful Present. Greater Future,”* the bicentenary celebration is expected to be a defining national and regional event. With the leadership of Prof. Lebbie and Prof. Baio, alongside the support of alumni across the world, the celebrations will honor the institution’s extraordinary past while laying the foundation for its future growth and transformation.

Alumni and friends of FBC are encouraged to mark their calendars, make travel arrangements, reconnect with the Alumni Association, and become part of history.

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