By: Sulaiman Stom Koroma

The Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Aiah Lebbie, has proposed a comprehensive headcount across the institution’s constituent colleges as part of efforts to address rising financial pressures within the university system.

Professor Lebbie’s proposal comes amid concerns that a number of lecturers remain on the university payroll despite being absent from active teaching duties. According to information gathered, some staff are reportedly out of the country, while others are said to be underperforming or not fulfilling their academic responsibilities.

The proposed headcount exercise is expected to verify the actual number of active academic staff across the university’s constituent colleges, including Fourah Bay College, IPAM, and the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences. The move is seen as a cost-saving mechanism.

University insiders say the issue of “ghost workers” and inactive staff has been a long-standing concern, placing a strain on limited financial resources and affecting the quality of teaching and learning. The headcount, if implemented, would help reconcile payroll records with actual staff presence and productivity.

Professor Lebbie, who assumed office in 2024 with a mandate to reform and strengthen the institution’s governance structures, is said to be prioritizing institutional efficiency as part of his administration’s agenda.

Education stakeholders have reacted with mixed views. While some have welcomed the move as a necessary step toward restoring discipline and financial prudence, others caution that the process must avoid targeting legitimate staff on study leave or official assignments abroad.