Land for Life has participated in the validation exercise for a Bachelor of Social Sciences Degree ( BSc) in Land Governance and Administration at the University of Makeni (UniMak) in Bombali District. In his opening remarks, the Registrar of the University of Makeni noted that key institutions were selected for the process because of the vital roles they play in Sierra Leone’s land governance system. He emphasized that the new four-year program aims to build the country’s human capacity in land governance and administration, an essential step towards addressing persistent land-related challenges nationwide. Delivering his statement, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Makeni, Professor Joseph Turay, underscored the importance of land planning and management in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He explained that the University is currently assessing its contributions to the achievement of the SDGs and reaffirmed its commitment to designing academic programs that strengthen the human resource capacity of Sierra Leoneans. Speaking during the event, Dr. Joan Kagwanja, Coordinator of the African Land Policy Centre (ALPC), highlighted the Centre’s continued support to African countries in transforming and harmonizing land governance curricula. She also presented the African Union’s agenda on land governance, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among academic institutions, governments, and civil society to ensure sustainable and equitable land management across the continent. On behalf of the Curriculum Development Team, Bankolay Theodore Turay noted that the journey toward developing the curriculum began as far back as 2018, marking years of collaborative effort and dedication. The validation exercise represents a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to professionalize land governance and equip a new generation of experts with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective land administration and policy implementation.
