President Barrow to Inaugurate Major Expansion of UTG Faraba Banta Campus, Lays Foundation for New Medical School

The Gambia is set to mark a transformative moment in its higher education sector as President Adama Barrow prepares to inaugurate a major new phase of the University of The Gambia’s (UTG) Faraba Banta Campus. The event, scheduled for Saturday, 27 December 2025, will also include the laying of the foundation stone for the country’s future School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (SMAHS).

Organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), the ceremony represents the official completion of Lot-2 of the university’s campus expansion project, one of the most ambitious educational developments in the nation’s history. The Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Professor Pierre Gomez, along with cabinet ministers, UTG leadership, development partners, students, and community members, is expected to attend.

The expansion introduces a series of world-class academic and administrative facilities designed to elevate the quality of higher education and strengthen national capacity in priority areas. The new developments include the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, built to address food security challenges and advance environmental sustainability; a modern Faculty of Law equipped with a state-of-the-art Moot Court for practical legal training; and a seven-storey Chancery Building that will centralise and modernise university administration. Fourteen advanced laboratories have also been completed, offering cutting-edge spaces for scientific research and hands-on learning across multiple disciplines. In addition, the campus now features improved infrastructure, including new walkways and essential amenities aimed at creating a safer, more accessible, and well-connected learning environment.

Beyond the inauguration of these facilities, President Barrow will also preside over the laying of the foundation stone for the future School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences. This project represents a major investment in The Gambia’s healthcare system, with the aim of training highly skilled doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and allied health professionals to serve communities across the country.

A representative of MoHERST described the event as a defining moment, stating that the initiative is not only about constructing buildings but building the future of the nation. The expansion of UTG and the groundbreaking of the new medical school, the representative noted, reflect the government’s commitment to developing the skills, innovation, and research capacity that will drive national development for generations.