FBC’s History and African Studies Department Bids Farewell to Professor Joe A.D. Alie on His Retirement

The Department of History and African Studies at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, honored Professor Joe A.D. Alie in a farewell ceremony on February 18, 2025, as he retired from his role as a lecturer.

The occasion, attended by faculty members, students, and dignitaries, was a moment of gratitude and celebration for Professor Alie’s decades of dedicated service to education and historical scholarship.

Professor Alie, a distinguished historian, was the first Head of the Department of History and African Studies at Fourah Bay College. Born in Moyamba, in the southern region of Sierra Leone, he pursued his academic journey at the same institution, earning a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and a Master of Arts in Modern History. He later obtained his PhD and a Certificate in African Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, further cementing his expertise in African and Sierra Leonean history.

Throughout his career, Professor Alie made significant contributions to academia both in Sierra Leone and internationally. His dedication to education earned him one of the country’s highest honors in 2006 when the Government of Sierra Leone awarded him the title of Commander of the Order of the Rokel (COR). As an accomplished writer, he authored several essential textbooks, including Sierra Leone Since Independence: History of a Postcolonial State, An Outline Political History of Sierra Leone 1961-2007, and West African History for WASSCE Candidates. His publications have been instrumental in shaping historical education across Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the farewell ceremony, the current Head of the Department, Professor Jalloh, praised Professor Alie’s unwavering commitment to scholarship and education. “Professor Alie’s contributions to the field of history and to the intellectual growth of Sierra Leone are immeasurable. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of historians and students,” Professor Jalloh remarked.

Students of the department also expressed their gratitude, acknowledging Professor Alie’s mentorship and dedication to their academic development. The event concluded with warm wishes for his retirement, recognizing his lifelong service to the University of Sierra Leone and the nation’s education sector.