University of The Gambia students protest over campus welfare issues

Students at the University of The Gambia (UTG) held protests at the Kanifing and Faraba Banta campuses to demand improvements to deteriorating living and academic conditions. Demonstrators cited several critical grievances, including inadequate transportation between campuses, lack of access to clean drinking water, unreliable internet connectivity, poor sanitation, and the closure of catering services.

In response, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) led a delegation, including Minister Professor Pierre Gomez, to assess the situation. To address transportation, the Gambia Transport Service Company has deployed 20 buses. Regarding water access, officials noted that while supply volumes are sufficient, the water requires filtration; interim measures include the installation of water dispensers, with a permanent filtration system being arranged.

To improve connectivity, technical teams are working to extend fiber-optic capacity to the Schools of Agriculture and Law. Additionally, ministry officials stated that campus cafeterias are now fully operational. Despite these government assurances and the presentation of a petition by the Students’ Union, student leaders emphasized that the situation has already caused significant disruptions to lectures and examinations.