By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu – Bo City
Tensions have flared at Njala University this week as hundreds of students were denied access to examination halls due to unpaid tuition fees, sparking widespread concern among students, parents, and civil society groups.
The mass ejection took place across both the Bo and Mokonde campuses, where students who had not settled their financial obligations were barred from taking their second-semester exams for the 2024/2025 academic year. The development has reignited debates around the university’s fee enforcement policy and the broader issue of affordability in higher education.
President of the Njala University Students’ Union, Joseph Jawi Jokai, expressed deep frustration over the situation. He confirmed that the union has been actively engaging university authorities and other stakeholders to find a resolution, but said efforts have so far yielded no results.
“We have made several interventions and appeals,” said Jokai. “Unfortunately, the necessary support has not been forthcoming. While we understand the university’s financial position, we also witness the pain our fellow students are enduring.”
Several affected students took to social media to express their distress, citing the current economic hardships their families are facing. Many appealed to the university administration to explore more compassionate alternatives, such as allowing students to sit for exams with a commitment to settle fees afterward.
There are also growing calls for the government to intervene, with stakeholders warning that the continued enforcement of a “no-fee, no-exam” policy could derail the educational futures of hundreds of young Sierra Leoneans.
As of now, the university has not released an official statement addressing the incident or outlining any remedial measures.
With the semester’s exams already underway, uncertainty looms over the fate of the students who were turned away. Meanwhile, public pressure continues to mount for urgent institutional and governmental action to prevent further disruption in the academic calendar.