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Fourah Bay College, the oldest modern university in Sub-Saharan Africa is celebrating its 196th anniversary.
The University was established on 18 February 1827 by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) with assistance from the Governor of the Freetown Colony, Charles Macarthy. The founders’ plan was initially to train back missionaries due to the aggressive climate of the region to Europeans but other courses were added over the years.
The university admitted its first student, a Nigerian, Ajayi Crowther who later became the first black Bishop.
The University now boasts seven faculties and five institutes with over 5,000 students.
The University went on to produce notable alumni in the sub-region, especially in British West Africa. This role saw that the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown being nicknamed ‘the Athens of West Africa’.
Some of the University’s notable alumni include the first Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, Sir Milton Margai, and Nigeria’s former University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor, Kenneth Dike.
Other notable alumni include, former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, first democratically elected governor of Imo State, Sam Mbakwe, former governor of Ondo State, Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Gambian women’s rights activist, Fatou Sanyang Kinteh, first Sierra Leone female member of parliament, Ella Koblo Gulama.
