Nairobi, Kenya- May 11th, 2026
His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has met with Sierra Leonean students pursuing higher education in Kenya, where he encouraged them to remain focused, disciplined, and steadfast in their academic and professional journeys for the future advancement of Sierra Leone.
Addressing the students, President Bio underscored the importance of acquiring quality education and professional skills abroad, noting that exposure to international learning environments equips young people with the knowledge, competence, and innovation needed to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The President emphasized that the future of Sierra Leone rests significantly in the hands of its educated youth and urged the students to make the most of the opportunities available to them while studying overseas.
He further implored the students to resist distractions, embrace challenges with determination, and remain exceptionally committed to their studies and personal growth. President Bio reminded them that resilience, discipline, and hard work are critical ingredients for success in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Encouraging a spirit of patriotism and national service, the President admonished the students to return home after their studies and apply the knowledge and expertise acquired abroad towards the development and transformation of Sierra Leone.
In their response, the students expressed appreciation to President Bio for his encouraging remarks and fatherly advice. They also commended his continued efforts in addressing the pressing socio-economic challenges facing Sierra Leone and reaffirmed their commitment to contributing positively to the country’s future development.
High Commissioner Lavahun is being profusely commended for leading all efforts in ensuring that all Sierra Leonean students in East Africa are given unprecedented access to the High Commission in Kenya and interventions are always made in according them all the relevant services when needed.
On the margins of the Africa Forward Summit, and as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bio held multiple bilateral engagements with his counterparts, global leaders and with multilateral organisations, including the Presidents of Guinea and Liberia, Their Excellencies Mamady Doumbouya and Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., the UN Secretary General, H.E. Antonio Gutres, the International Fund for Agricultural Develooment (IFAD) etc., discussing regional peace and security, deepening of bilateral and multilateral ties, global governance, sustainable development and the exploration of investments opportunities for Sierra Leone and for the West Africa sub-region.
A. B. Dakowa
SLHC, Kenya