Higher Education Ministry Responds to UTG Protests, Minister Gomez to Visit Faraba Campus

Written by: Seringe S.T. Touray

The Ministry of Higher Education has promised further action following Monday’s major student protest at the University of The Gambia (UTG) in Kanifing, where hundreds demonstrated over worsening campus conditions and called for the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor.

The protest, driven by complaints over food shortages, overcrowded and unreliable transport, poor internet, inadequate water supply and learning facilities, saw Information Minister Dr Ismaila Ceesay and Higher Education Minister Professor Pierre Gomez escorted from the premises under tight security as students chanted “Go home!”

In a statement issued hours after the protest, the ministry acknowledged the students’ grievances, admitting that the challenges “require continued attention, effective coordination and practical solutions involving the relevant institutions.”

It promised to work with UTG management and student representatives to “review outstanding issues, assess the implementation of existing interventions and identify areas requiring further action.”

The ministry also defended government investments in higher education and announced that Professor Gomez would lead a delegation to the Faraba Banta Campus on Tuesday afternoon to assess progress in addressing students’ demands.

Meanwhile, Madi Jobarteh, Executive Director of the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), questioned the ministers’ involvement, arguing that responsibility for the university’s internal management rests with the Vice-Chancellor and Governing Council. He called for greater accountability over the persistent problems affecting students.