FREETOWN—The Ministry of Youth Affairs (MoYA) and Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) have formalized a partnership aimed at enhancing youth empowerment through skills training and job creation. The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 10, 2025, at MMTU’s Great Hall, Goderich Campus in Freetown.
The agreement outlines a strategy to train youths in income-generating skills, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and shifting mindsets towards self-reliance. A total of 24 courses have been identified, ranging from Cyber Security, Coding, Plumbing, Carpentry, Agriculture, Hairdressing, Climate Change Adaptation, Automobile Engineering, Animal Husbandry, Soap Making, Cooling System Engineering, Baking, and Confectionery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh reiterated the importance of equipping young people with practical skills to create their own employment opportunities. “At the end of this training, we expect youths to generate their own jobs rather than wait for employment,” he stated, expressing confidence in the implementation timeline.
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sajoh Aziz Kamara, highlighted that the partnership aligns with the Ministry’s vision of advancing innovation and industrialization. He noted that MMTU’s transformation from a teacher training college to a polytechnic and now a technical university reflects the government’s commitment to higher education, citing an expansion from six to twelve universities nationwide.
MMTU Vice Chancellor, Professor Philip John Kanu, underscored the initiative’s alignment with the government’s human capital development agenda, emphasizing that no youth should be left behind. He assured that MMTU would prioritize entrepreneurship, targeting young people without formal university qualifications, and confirming that all successful participants will receive certifications accredited by the Tertiary Education Commission.
The Permanent Secretary of MoYA, Morrison Gboyoh, urged students to seize the opportunity for academic excellence, referencing past collaborations with MMTU on Bricklaying and Masonry training programs. He expressed optimism that the MoU would significantly transform youth development nationwide.
During the event, MMTU’s Coordinator of Short Courses, Papa Njai, outlined previous training programs offered by the institution and reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality vocational education.
The well-attended ceremony featured musical and comedy performances, a poetry recital, and the singing of the MMTU Song. Students’ Union President, Bintu Bangura, delivered a vote of thanks, promising that students will take full advantage of the initiative to drive national transformation.
The MoU signals a bold step toward equipping Sierra Leone’s youth with essential skills, fostering economic independence, and preparing the next generation for entrepreneurship.