Dr. Ramatulai Bah’s violation and interference on universities undermines Bio’s Educational Drive
By Thaimu Thullah
Serious concerns are mounting over the governance policies and interventions of the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulie Wurie, with critics and some lawmakers alleging that her actions have undermined university autonomy, institutional governance and statutory procedures established under Sierra Leone’s Universities Act, 2021 (Act No. 5 of 2021).
The Universities Act, 2021 replaced the Universities Act, 2005 and established the legal framework governing Sierra Leone’s public universities, including the University of Sierra Leone, Njala University and Milton Margai Technical University. The Act expressly establishes University Courts, Senates and other institutional authorities and assigns them defined functions and powers.
Against this legal background, allegations that ministerial directives have interfered with the statutory functions of university authorities raise important questions about compliance with the Act and the principle of institutional autonomy.
STATUTORY PROVISIONS UNDER SCRUTINY
Several provisions of the Universities Act, 2021 are particularly relevant to the controversies surrounding the Ministry.
Section 6 – University Authorities:
The Act establishes the institutional authorities responsible for the governance of universities. This framework means that ministerial intervention must operate within the powers expressly assigned by law rather than replacing the functions of the University Court, Senate or other statutory bodies.
Section 7 – Chancellor:
The Act defines the office and functions of the Chancellor. Consequently, any action by a Chancellor concerning the administration or discipline of senior university officials must be examined against the specific powers granted under the Act.
Sections 11–14 – University Court and its Powers:
The Act establishes the University Court and sets out its functions, powers and committees. These provisions are central to determining whether decisions concerning senior university officials were made by the legally authorized body and through the required institutional process.
Section 15 – Suspension, Removal and Retirement of Staff:
This is particularly significant in the controversy surrounding the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Milton Margai Technical University. Section 15 provides that the University Court may, after due investigation and for good cause shown, suspend a senior member of the University or remove such a person from office. The statutory requirement for an investigation and good cause therefore becomes critical when assessing the legality of any suspension.
Sections 16–19 – Senate:
The Act establishes the University Senate and defines its functions and powers. Any allegation that statutory university decision-making was bypassed should therefore be assessed against these provisions and the University’s approved rules and procedures.
UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE
At the University of Sierra Leone, allegations have been raised concerning attempts to replace senior administrative and academic personnel.
Where such decisions concern members of university staff, the relevant question is whether the statutory authorities followed the procedures required by Section 15 of the Universities Act, 2021, including due investigation and good cause where suspension or removal is contemplated.
However, where a decision was made without the authority required by the Act or without following the prescribed procedure, it could raise a serious question of statutory compliance.
NJALA UNIVERSITY AND THE WIDER GOVERNANCE CONCERNS
Similar questions concerning university governance have also arisen in relation to Njala University.
The Universities Act does not merely give the Ministry unrestricted control over public universities. Rather, it establishes institutional authorities and distributes responsibilities among the Chancellor, Court, Senate, Vice-Chancellor and other statutory bodies.
Consequently, allegations of excessive ministerial interference should be examined against the precise powers granted to the Minister under the Act and against the independent functions assigned to university authorities.
TERTIARY EDUCATION COMMISSION
The controversy involving the Tertiary Education Commission also raises broader questions about the relationship between the Ministry and the statutory institutions responsible for higher-education administration.
Where allegations against an official are investigated and the person is subsequently cleared, any further administrative action should be examined against applicable statutory procedures, employment protections and principles of natural justice.
MILTON MARGAI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
The most immediate controversy concerns Milton Margai Technical University and Professor Philip Kanu.
Reports published in April 2026 stated that the Chancellor Alhaji Mohamed Jalloh suspended Professor Kanu.
However, subsequent criticism has focused on whether the process was in consultation with the senate court or in line with the University Act. Legal opinion, Parliamentary Oversight and Civil society groups have also questioned the extent of the Chancellor’s authority in relation to the suspension.
These competing accounts demonstrate why the matter should ultimately be assessed against the actual University Court records, investigation report, suspension letter, applicable university statutes and the Universities Act itself.
ALLEGED VIOLATIONS THAT REQUIRE LEGAL SCRUTINY
Based on the allegations currently being made, the following provisions and principles of the Universities Act, 2021 warrant particular examination:
- Section 6 – University Authorities: Whether statutory university authorities were permitted to exercise their legally assigned functions without improper interference.
- Section 7 – Functions of the Chancellor: Whether actions attributed to a Chancellor fell within the powers expressly granted by the Act.
- Sections 11–14 – University Court: Whether decisions concerning senior university officials were properly made by the University Court and in accordance with its statutory powers.
- Section 15 – Suspension and Removal of Staff: Whether any suspension or removal was preceded by the required due investigation and good cause and whether the statutory procedure was followed.
- Sections 16–19 – Senate: Whether decisions affecting academic and institutional administration improperly bypassed the Senate where the Act assigns functions or powers to the Chancellor.
PARLIAMENTARY ACCOUNTABILITY
The allegations concerning parliamentary summons introduce a separate constitutional and parliamentary-accountability question.
If a minister is formally summoned by a competent parliamentary committee and fails to appear without lawful justification, Parliament may consider the appropriate consequences under its constitutional and parliamentary powers. Whether such conduct legally amounts to Contempt of Parliament, however, should be determined by Parliament under its applicable rules and constitutional authority rather than presented as an established fact without a formal finding.
A GOVERNANCE CRISIS THAT DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY
The controversy therefore extends beyond personalities. At its core is a fundamental question: Are Sierra Leone’s public universities being administered according to the laws that Parliament enacted, or are statutory institutions being subjected to administrative decisions outside the powers granted by those laws?
The Universities Act, 2021 was enacted precisely to establish a clear governance structure for Sierra Leone’s universities. Parliament created University Courts, Senates, Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors with defined responsibilities.
Any allegation that these statutory structures have been bypassed deserves transparent investigation.
The appropriate response is therefore not political retaliation, but accountability through the law: publication of relevant decisions and investigation reports, compliance with statutory procedures, respect for university governance structures, and cooperation with Parliament when lawful summonses are issued.
Sierra Leone’s public universities belong to the nation. Their governance must therefore be guided by the Universities Act, institutional due process and the rule of law—not personal interests, political pressure or administrative discretion beyond the authority granted by Parliament.