By Sallieu S. Kanu
October. 9, 2026: The Government of Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue with academic staff in public tertiary institutions while declaring the ongoing lecturers’ strike unlawful and urging lecturers to resume work ahead of the reopening of universities on October 12.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), the Government said it remains committed to addressing the concerns of lecturers through dialogue, transparency and established legal procedures.
The Ministry noted that under the administration of President Julius Maada Bio, significant efforts have been made to improve the welfare of academic staff. It highlighted a cumulative salary increase of 75 percent implemented in three phases, which it said amounted to approximately 87.5 percent when compounded. Government also approved an additional 15 percent salary increase for tertiary institution staff effective April 2025.
MTHE further stated that since July 2019, Government has taken responsibility for paying salaries and annual leave allowances for public tertiary institution staff, currently covering about 83 percent of university wage costs.
According to the Ministry, negotiations with the Academic Staff Associations (ASAs) on conditions of service and salary demands were ongoing when the industrial action began on September 16, 2026.
The Ministry revealed that ASAs submitted a proposal for a 100 percent salary increase in June and July this year. It said the demand was referred to the Wages and Compensation Commission (WCC) for assessment in accordance with legal procedures, given Government’s financial responsibility for the bulk of university staff salaries.
MTHE disclosed that the WCC submitted an assessment of the financial implications of the proposed increment to the Ministry of Finance on September 11, 2026, and discussions were still in progress when the strike commenced.
Government also raised concerns over the decision to issue the strike notice under the umbrella of the Union of Academic Staff Associations (UASA), questioning the body’s legal authority to call industrial action.
Citing provisions of the Industrial Relations and Trade Union Act, 2024, the Ministry argued that workers are prohibited from embarking on strike action while negotiations or mediation processes are ongoing. It further maintained that industrial action should be channelled through a registered trade union holding a valid bargaining certificate.
The Ministry stated that UASA has not been issued the required bargaining certificate and that its registration as a corporate entity does not automatically confer trade union status or collective bargaining authority under Sierra Leone’s labour laws.
Government therefore concluded that the current industrial action is unlawful, stressing that its position is based on compliance with statutory requirements and not on an attempt to undermine the rights of lecturers to pursue legitimate grievances.
With public universities expected to reopen on Monday, October 12, the Ministry called on all academic staff to report for duty and resume teaching and other academic responsibilities.
“Government remains committed to achieving a fair, lawful and fiscally sustainable resolution that protects the interests of lecturers, safeguards students’ education and strengthens Sierra Leone’s higher education system,” the statement said.