Mohamed Rex Bhonapha, President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS), has voiced growing concerns over the rising costs of university education in Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the Town Hall on Higher Education, held in the main hall of Fourah Bay College, Bhonapha highlighted the challenges students face due to recent sharp increases in tuition fees, as well as additional charges for facilities that students are not fully benefiting from.

“The latest sharp increase in university fees is one major challenge that is hindering the system,” Bhonapha stated during his address.

He emphasized the financial burden placed on students, noting that the extra fees for services like IT facilities, university identification cards, and recreational activities such as sports are unjustified, as students often do not receive the intended benefits.

The NUSS President called for greater transparency and accountability regarding how these facility fees are used, stressing the need for universities to ensure that students get value for the payments they make.

Bhonapha’s remarks resonated with many students in attendance, who echoed his concerns over the escalating costs of higher education and the lack of adequate facilities to justify these charges.

The Town Hall, which brought together students, university administrators, and government officials, served as a platform for discussing pressing issues affecting higher education in Sierra Leone.

Bhonapha urged stakeholders to take swift action to address the growing financial strain on students and ensure that higher education remains accessible to all.