By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The University of Sierra Leone, through its Directorate of Communication and International Relations, has strongly refuted claims circulating on social media alleging the sale of staff quarters at Fourah Bay College (FBC). The administration described the post as unfounded and misleading, stressing that no university staff quarters have been sold.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the FBC administration categorically denied the allegations and reassured the public that the institution’s lands remain intact. The university also used the opportunity to highlight growing concerns over persistent land encroachment that continues to threaten the future of the historic institution.
“This clarification comes against the backdrop of a severe and ongoing challenge of land encroachment, which threatens the college’s future,” the statement read.
The administration recalled a significant court victory in 2024 when High Court Judge Justice Unisa Kamara declared Fourah Bay College the rightful legal owner of the land at Tree Planting Axis. The ruling, delivered on July 11, 2024, granted the college immediate possession of its land. Despite this clear legal directive, the university noted that reclaiming the land has been hampered by security concerns, leaving encroachers emboldened and unchecked.
The delay in enforcing the court’s order, according to the college, poses several serious consequences. These include the stifling of FBC’s planned development and expansion ahead of its bicentenary celebrations in 2027, the growing security risks posed by encroachers infiltrating the campus, and damage to the local ecosystem.
“It stifles the future development and expansion of FBC, which will celebrate its bicentenary in 2027. It emboldens encroachers, who have infiltrated the campus, threatening the security of students and staff. It damages the local ecosystem, including the historic Botanical Garden, and threatens the water catchment area for greater Freetown,” the statement warned.
The FBC Botanical Garden, considered one of the oldest in the sub-region, is among the affected areas. The administration emphasized that continued encroachment could have dire consequences not only for the college but also for environmental sustainability in the capital.
Calling for immediate and collective action, the administration urged all stakeholders to rally behind efforts to secure the institution’s land and safeguard its legacy. “The FBC Administration calls on all stakeholders to support the preservation of the college’s future by ensuring the immediate implementation of the court order to secure its undisputed land,” the statement concluded.
Fourah Bay College, often described as the “Athens of West Africa,” has played a pioneering role in higher education in the region for over a century. The college’s leadership stressed that protecting its land and property remains crucial to maintaining its position as a beacon of learning and preserving its heritage.
The press statement was signed by Dr. Tonya Musa, Director of Communications and International Relations at the University of Sierra Leone.
As the institution moves toward its 200th anniversary, the administration insists that urgent enforcement of court orders and protection of its land remain vital steps to ensuring that FBC continues to thrive for generations to come.
