Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly,

My Lord, the Chief Justice,

Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology,

Honourable Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs,

Honourable Cabinet Ministers,

Honourable Members of the National Assembly,

Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps,

Regional Director and Officials of the Islamic Development Bank,

President and Officials of BADEA,

Governor of the West Coast Region,

Chief of Kombo East, Alkalolou, and Venerable Religious Leaders,

Chairperson and Members of the UTG Governing Council,

Vice-Chancellor and Principal Officers, the Senate, Faculty, Staff, and Students of the UTG,

Partners, Friends, and the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Last year, we happily inaugurated Lot One of The University of The Gambia (UTG) Faraba Banta Campus Project. Here we are, yet again, celebrating another formidable milestone in our journey towards establishing a world-class centre of higher education and innovation in The Gambia.

This historic moment joyfully reflects our unflinching dedication to developing our higher education sector and human capital within the framework of our national vision and programmes.

This magnificent campus now stands out visibly as a living testament to our visionary leadership, strategic investment, and collective belief that knowledge is instrumental to national transformation.

The occasion marks not only a moment of joy and pride but also a celebration of vision, partnership, and progress. It sends the clear message that The Gambia is boldly investing in its people and its future.

As explained last year, Lot One of the Project comprised the School of Business and Public Administration, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, and School of Information Communication and Technology. They are all adequately equipped with state-of-the-art lecture rooms and computer labs. The Late Dr Badara Alieu Joof Memorial Library complements them.

Today, we are commissioning the Akinwumi Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, the Faculty of Law, and the Chancery Building. It houses fourteen cutting-edge labs to drive agricultural transformation and environmental sustainability. The objective is to empower students and researchers for innovation in food security and climate resilience.

The Faculty of Law, with its modern Moot Court, will augment the training of legal professionals to reinforce and guarantee that justice, the rule of law, and human rights thrive in the country. With their modern lecture theatres, labs, offices, and academic space, these new facilities have brought us closer to a complete, residential, and research-oriented university campus capable of hosting thousands of students and scholars.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Faraba Banta Campus splendidly represents a national vision for the future and a cornerstone to position The Gambia’s progress. It indicates the country's readiness and path to becoming a centre of excellence for academic tourism in West Africa.

The responsibility now lies on the faculty to transform the University into an institution where knowledge, culture, and innovation blend to attract scholars, students, and researchers from the continent and beyond.

In line with this vision, I am delighted to announce that, following this inaugural ceremony, we will lay the foundation stone for Lot Three, which consists of the School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences.

It will feature world-class facilities for Medicine, Nursing, Public health, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Sciences. These facilities are supported with sixteen state-of-the-art laboratories and a teaching clinic.

When completed, the new School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences is expected to revolutionise medical training and health research in The Gambia and significantly strengthen our national health system.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For decades, Gambians dreamt of a national university campus equipped with the facilities needed to advance higher learning and training endeavours. That dream is becoming a reality here in Faraba Banta, as our goal is that the UTG becomes a world-class citadel of learning.

As Head of State and Chancellor of the UTG, I reaffirm my government’s unwavering commitment to excellence, access, and robust governance systems across all levels and sectors.

Amid the celebration, let us remember that the foundations of great universities lie not in their physical structures, but in the people and ideas they nurture. It is the faculty, staff, and students that determine a university’s status through devotion to excellence, ethical research, and innovation.

I challenge the UTG community to view these new facilities as tools for achieving the nobility associated with academic engagements, creativity, and service to society. At the heart of all these are the students. So, I urge you, both the home and international students, to be more purposeful. Remain disciplined and industrious and pursue your courses to uplift your communities and tackle the critical issues of our times.

To facilitate this, my government recently established the required agencies to efficiently oversee the Student Revolving Loan Scheme, the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund, and the National Research and Innovation Fund.

As a nation, our institutions are our greatest insurance against external shocks, if they are strong enough. This university is one of such institutions, serving as a pivot for planning, resilience, and development.

In this age of technology, education must positively groom agents of change. Let the UTG shape those who pass through its gates into leaders, innovators, and citizens of conscience, well-equipped and willing to build The Gambia we aspire to see.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We acknowledge and commend the dedicated efforts of the Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, the UTG Governing Council and Management, the Consultant - PACE, and the Contractor - Shapoorji.

I also thank the Governor of the West Coast Region, the Chief of Kombo East, and the Alkalolu of the surrounding communities for their continuous cooperation.

We remain profoundly grateful to our invaluable development partners, the Islamic Development Bank and BADEA, for all the financial and technical support provided. Their partnership exemplifies the enduring value of international cooperation in advancing education as a global public good. To all of you, we express our sincere gratitude.

On this score, it is my singular honour and pleasure to declare Lot Two of the University of The Gambia, Faraba Banta Campus, officially inaugurated.

May the University flourish as a hub of knowledge, exploration, and discovery for The Gambia and the entire region.

I wish you a Happy New Year in advance.