By Ibrahim John Sesay
The National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS) on Friday, April 10, 2026, successfully hosted the National 70 Most Influential Students Awards at City Hall in Freetown, bringing together student leaders, Government officials and distinguished guests to celebrate academic excellence, innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship among students across the country.
Held under the theme: “Celebrating Academic Excellence, Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” the event highlighted NUSS’s continued commitment to promoting holistic student development and recognizing young people whose impact extends beyond the classroom into community service, creativity, problem-solving and national development.
The awards ceremony, described as one of NUSS’s flagship initiatives, served as a powerful platform to inspire students nationwide to emerge as innovators, change-makers and visionary leaders. The honored students were recognized not only for academic distinction but also for their transformative roles within their universities, communities and the nation at large.
Speaking at the event, the first female democratically elected President of NUSS, Fiona Ngima, described the ceremony as a celebration of students whose contributions continue to advance student welfare and national progress.
She reaffirmed the Union’s dedication to student empowerment, noting that the 70 awardees symbolize the resilience, creativity and service spirit of Sierra Leone’s youth.
“We celebrate leadership, creativity and service. These 70 students represent the energy of young people who refused to be limited by circumstance. They remind us that influence is not about position but about impact,” she stated.
President Fiona Ngima also disclosed major institutional reforms and innovations being spearheaded by her administration, including plans to officially launch the NUSS Constitution to ensure accessibility and governance clarity across all Students’ Union Governments (SUGs).
In a major digital transformation move, she further announced the development of a student-focused mobile application called UniCollect, which will allow students to access grading systems and receive first-hand academic information through an integrated platform connecting various universities.
She also revealed plans to launch a magazine before the end of her tenure, aimed at showcasing female leadership and documenting student contributions to national development, while amplifying NUSS’s work in promoting student advancement across Sierra Leone.
Representing the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Director of Education Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq. commended NUSS for organizing what he described as a historic event that affirms intellect, resilience, innovation and transformative youth leadership.
He praised the leadership of President Fiona Ngima, emphasizing the significance of the initiative being hosted under the stewardship of the first female democratically elected NUSS President.
“To be named among the 70 Most Influential Students is an affirmation of your capacity to transcend mediocrity. You are not just students; you are agents of change, architects of progress and custodians of our collective future,” he told the awardees.
The Director of Civil Education and Citizens’ Engagement at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Timothy Sam, also congratulated the students and used the opportunity to challenge young people to embrace patriotism, civic responsibility and environmental consciousness.
He urged students to appreciate Sierra Leone’s beauty, culture and hospitality, while emphasizing responsible citizenship and national pride.
Timothy Sam further disclosed the Ministry’s intention to strengthen collaboration with NUSS through a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding civic education programmes across universities and colleges nationwide.
Delivering the keynote address, former ECOWAS Parliament Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, described the occasion as a defining national moment of recognition and responsibility.
He stressed that education must go beyond academic attainment and translate into solutions for societal challenges.
“Leadership is not proven by words, but by impact. After tonight, what problem in Sierra Leone will you solve? What system will you improve? What ideas will you turn into impact?” he challenged the students.
Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis also highlighted the contributions of the One Love Salone Foundation, revealing that the organization has committed over 10 Billion Old Leone in scholarships and institutional support to educational development in Sierra Leone.
In recognition of his dedication to youth empowerment, leadership and national development, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis received an Award of Honor from the NUSS leadership during the ceremony.
The event climaxed with the presentation of awards to the 70 selected students, who were celebrated for their outstanding contributions to student advocacy, innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship on campuses across Sierra Leone.
The joyous atmosphere saw friends, families and colleagues applauding the awardees, underscoring the significance of the initiative in inspiring a new generation of student leaders committed to national transformation.
The National 70 Most Influential Students Awards 2026 stands as more than a ceremony; it is a national statement on the power of youth leadership, innovation and education in shaping Sierra Leone’s future. Through such initiatives, NUSS continues to strengthen its role as a platform that amplifies student voices and fosters opportunities for young people to thrive.
