Sierra Leone has taken a decisive step towards overhauling its university and technical college admissions process, following a high-level stakeholder engagement in Freetown where Nigeria's Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) presented a comprehensive framework for building a national digital admissions architecture.

The engagement, convened by Sierra Leone's Ministry of Technical and Higher Education at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Freetown, drew participation from senior government officials, education regulators, and institutional leaders committed to ending the country's fragmented, decentralised admissions model.

Minister of Technical and Higher Education Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie disclosed that the proposed Centralised Admissions System had received Cabinet approval and carries legal backing under the Universities Act of 2021. She noted that the reform would deliver a unified digital platform serving both universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions. Dr Wurie stated that Sierra Leone's goal was not to duplicate Nigeria's model but to adapt proven global best practices to fit its own educational context. She also thanked Nigeria's Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, for the support extended to Sierra Leone, describing the Centralised Admissions System as a mechanism that would fundamentally restructure how admissions are conducted across the country.

Deputy Minister Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, who had earlier led a Sierra Leonean delegation to Nigeria to observe JAMB's operations at its Annual Policy Meeting, described the reform as a major stride towards transparency, accountability, efficiency, and fairness. He revealed that the Cabinet had approved the establishment of a Centralised Admissions Secretariat within the Ministry to manage the unified digital platform.

The engagement followed Nigeria's Minister of Education approving a technical mission by JAMB to Freetown after the Sierra Leonean delegation visited Nigeria, allowing JAMB to share practical implementation strategies directly with stakeholders.

JAMB's presentation outlined a digital admissions architecture designed to eliminate duplication, strengthen data integrity, enhance transparency, and support educational planning at the national level.

Senior officials and institutional heads in attendance included Permanent Secretary Mohamed Sheick Kargbo, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Conrad Sackey, Chairman of the Conference of Vice Chancellors and Principals Prof Edwin J.J. Momoh, WAEC Sierra Leone head Matilda Jusu, Director General of the National Civil Registration Authority Mohamed Massaquoi, and Director of Higher Education Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq., among others.

Dr Wurie confirmed that the reform is being implemented through collaboration with key agencies, including the Tertiary Education Commission, the West African Examinations Council, the National Civil Registration Authority, the National Telecommunications Authority, and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education.