Fourah Bay College Celebrates Over 2,500 Graduates.

The historic Adjai Crowther Amphitheatre was a sea of caps and gowns on December 4th, filled with the eager faces of 2,551 new graduates from Fourah Bay College and the School of Postgraduate Studies. This year’s congregation, themed “Transformation: A Step into the Future With or Without Jobs,” struck a resonant chord, blending celebration with a candid conversation about the evolving world these scholars are about to enter.

The ceremony gathered a wide array of guests, from Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education Sarjoh Aziz Kamara and Chancellor P.C. Margaret Catherine Baio-Gbanie to proud family members and diplomats. The atmosphere was energized by performances from the University Theatre Group and the stirring beats of the Brass Band, marking the day as one of both solemnity and festivity.

In his address, Deputy Minister Kamara congratulated the graduates on their pivotal achievement. He spoke directly to the realities of a job market being reshaped by automation and AI, urging the class to lean into adaptability, creativity, and innovation. He highlighted the government’s commitment to human capital development and issued a firm, heartfelt warning against the destructive kush drug crisis, encouraging graduates to be leaders in fostering a healthy, resilient community.

Chancellor Baio-Gbanie expanded on the theme of transition. She reminded graduates that their degree represents a proven capacity to learn and adapt—a tool more valuable than mere factual knowledge. “The world ahead is less structured,” she noted, emphasizing that essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and ethical leadership will guide their path, whether they step into immediate employment or carve out their own opportunities.

Vice Chancellor and Principal Prof. Aiah Lebbie shared impressive strides the university has made, including new academic programs, a recently completed six-story Secretariat building, and agricultural projects aimed at innovation and sustainability. To the engineering graduates, she presented a unique challenge: modernize the traditional molankeh farming tool for a chance to win a cash prize, symbolizing the practical innovation the nation needs.

The overarching message was one of empowered preparedness. Graduates were encouraged to be fearless, resilient, and entrepreneurial to see challenges as opportunities. As the ceremony closed, with thanks given to faculty, mentors, and families, the new alumni were sent forward not just with degrees, but with a charge to build a future-ready Sierra Leone through integrity, service, and lifelong curiosity.