Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats-SL) on Friday, 16 January 2026, awarded a cash prize of NLe30,000 to Abdul Bilal Mohamed Koroma, winner of the 2026 Population and Housing Census Logo Competition, during a media briefing held at the institution’s headquarters at 1B King Street, Kona Lodge, Freetown.

The cheque presentation marked the official conclusion of the logo competition, which was organized by Stats-SL as part of its efforts to promote inclusivity, transparency, and public participation in the lead-up to the 2026 Population and Housing Census.

Koroma, a local graphic designer, emerged as the winner after submitting the logo design during the public call for entries announced by Stats-SL in May 2025. The competition attracted several submissions from designers across the country, aimed at producing a logo that reflects the values, identity, and mandate of Statistics Sierra Leone.

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The award ceremony followed public allegations that emerged after the official launch of the 2026 Census logo, in which Koroma claimed that his submitted design had been used without his consent or proper attribution. The allegations generated public debate and raised concerns around intellectual property and communication during public competitions.

In response to the situation, Statistics Sierra Leone explained that efforts had been made to contact the designer through the phone number provided during submission. After further consultations, the institution was able to reach Koroma and resolve the matter.

Following the resolution, Koroma issued a public statement on his social media platforms clarifying the circumstances surrounding the issue. In his statement, he explained that although he submitted his design in May 2025 with his phone number attached, his Samsung A14 phone was stolen in September, which disrupted communication. He added that difficulties in obtaining a national identification card delayed the replacement of his SIM cards, leaving him to rely mainly on email for communication.

Koroma stated that when he later saw the launch of the 2026 Census and recognized the logo, he was initially happy to see his creative work being used for a major national activity. He further acknowledged that Statistics Sierra Leone had attempted to contact him and accepted full responsibility for the communication gap, describing the period as challenging.

He also expressed appreciation to the Statistics Sierra Leone Public Relations Officer for facilitating the resolution process and showing understanding. According to Koroma, participating in the competition required deep focus, creativity, and consistency, noting that winning the award reaffirmed his belief that commitment and hard work pay off.

Presenting the cheque, Statistics Sierra Leone reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, transparency, and recognition of local talent, emphasizing that the logo competition was conducted in good faith and aimed at engaging Sierra Leoneans in the national census process.

The award of NLe30,000 to Koroma formally recognizes his contribution to the 2026 Population and Housing Census and brings closure to the logo competition process, reinforcing Stats-SL’s dedication to public participation and creative excellence in national development initiatives.