The Union of Academic Staff Associations (UASA) has called for the immediate retirement of Professor Bashiru Koroma, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University, citing statutory requirements under the Universities Act of 2021.
In a formal letter dated 26 June 2025 and addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, UASA urged that Professor Koroma step down no later than September 2025, following his attainment of the mandatory retirement age of 65 on 3 March this year.
Referencing Section 15(7) of the Universities Act, the association noted: “A Senior Staff member of a Public University shall retire from office upon attaining the age of 65 years, and no extension of service beyond that age shall be granted unless under exceptional circumstances as determined by the appropriate authorities, and for a clearly defined short-term period.”
UASA argued that Njala University does not meet the criteria for an extension, as the institution currently has a fully appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor in place. They insisted that any continuation of Professor Koroma’s service must be “clearly justified and legally grounded.”
The union further accused Professor Koroma of mismanagement and fostering an unhealthy institutional climate.
“His continued presence in office has fuelled distrust, nepotism, maladministration, and stalled infrastructural progress at the university,” the letter charged.
Reaffirming its commitment to upholding the law and promoting good governance, UASA stated, “We are not just lecturers—we are public servants dedicated to advancing President Bio’s Human Capital Development Agenda.”
The association also warned that allowing Professor Koroma to remain in office beyond the legal retirement age would set a dangerous precedent and risk plunging the university into deeper institutional turmoil.
UASA concluded its letter by calling on Parliament’s Committee on Tertiary and Higher Education to investigate governance issues at Njala University, particularly in relation to compliance with the retirement clause of the Universities Act.
