AYV News, July 17, 2026
The Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) has concluded entrance meetings with public universities in Freetown, marking the commencement of the Government of Sierra Leone’s Management and Functional Review (MFR) of the higher education sector.
The exercise, which forms part of a nationwide assessment of public universities, is aimed at improving governance, institutional efficiency, accountability, and the overall quality of higher education in Sierra Leone.
According to the PSRU, the entrance meetings, which began in the regional universities in mid-June 2026 before concluding in Freetown on 14 July 2026, officially launched the review process within each institution. The meetings provided an opportunity for university authorities and key stakeholders to understand the objectives, scope, methodology, and expected outcomes of the review while fostering collaboration between the review team and university management.
Speaking during the engagements, Chief of Programmes at the PSRU, Albert Williams, said the meetings were intended to establish effective communication with university stakeholders and secure their support throughout the exercise.
Mr. Williams explained that the review aligns with the Government’s broader public sector reform agenda by promoting transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness across the higher education sector.
He noted that the review seeks to identify institutional strengths, address existing challenges, and recommend practical reforms that will improve governance, operational efficiency, service delivery, and the overall quality of tertiary education.
“The initiative reflects Government’s commitment to building stronger universities capable of contributing effectively to national development and human capital growth,” he said.
The review was initiated following a Cabinet decision to determine whether Sierra Leone’s public universities possess appropriate organisational structures, effective governance systems, efficient administrative processes, adequate human resource capacity, sound financial and operational management, and alignment with national education priorities.
The assessment will examine several key areas, including governance and leadership structures, decision-making processes, organisational frameworks, human resource management, financial management, budget planning, resource allocation, financial accountability, revenue generation, and institutional reporting systems.
The exercise is also expected to evaluate the effectiveness of university management systems and identify measures to strengthen teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement.
Welcoming the initiative, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), Professor James Russell, commended the PSRU for undertaking the review, describing it as an important opportunity to improve the institution’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Professor Russell assured the review team of the university’s full cooperation throughout the process.
Upon completion, the Management and Functional Review is expected to produce recommendations aimed at strengthening governance and accountability, improving service delivery, optimising the use of financial and human resources, reducing duplication of functions, modernising university management systems, and aligning public universities more closely with Sierra Leone’s national development agenda.
Government officials say the exercise represents a significant step towards building a more responsive, efficient, and globally competitive higher education system capable of supporting the country’s long-term socio-economic development.
