By Suliaman Jalloh and Brima Siafa
President Juluis Maada Bio delivering his landmark State of the Nation Address
The House of Parliament on October 16, 2025 concluded debate on what has been described as by far the most landmark State of the Nation address President Julius Maada Bio has delivered in Parliament since his assumption of power in 2018.
The Hon. Jibrila Sur Moijueh, Member of Parliament representing Bonthe District, has described President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s 2025 State Opening of Parliament Address as a landmark statement that not only highlights the government’s achievements but also outlines the key challenges Sierra Leone must collectively confront to advance as a nation.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with parliamentary journalists after the conclusion of the debate, Hon. Moijueh commended the President’s message for its clarity, inclusiveness, and focus on peace and national cohesion.
“It has been a long but very engaging four days of debate”, Hon. Moijueh said. “Despite interruptions, including the unfortunate passing of one of our colleagues, the deliberations gave Members of Parliament the opportunity to reflect deeply on the country’s progress and the way forward”, he added.
Hon Moijueh
The lawmaker lauded President Bio’s leadership style and described the 2025 address as both comprehensive and visionary. “This year’s speech is a landmark one”, he noted. “If you take the time to read through it, you’ll clearly see the positive steps His Excellency has taken to move Sierra Leone forward.”
Hon. Moijueh highlighted paragraph eight of the President’s speech, which divides the address into two parts one detailing the administration’s major achievements and the other addressing the challenges that demand national attention. He specifically pointed to the Feed Salone Project and youth employment initiatives as key successes that continue to impact lives positively across the country.
Food Security
“When we launched the Big Five Game Changers in 2023, we set out a simple truth: Sierra Leone must stand on its own feet. We cannot truly prosper if we depend on ships sailing to our shores for our daily bread. That is why Feed Salone sits at the heart of our agenda. Food security is about dignity, independence, and a future where every family can put food on the table”, said President Bio in his State of the Nation Address to Parliament on 7th August, 2025.
The president reported that in 2024 rice production grew by 8 percent, cutting imports by 13 percent and saving the country 15 million dollars in foreign exchange, adding that the price of rice has fallen by over 20 percent, giving families some relief. “We have opened three new rice mills, reducing waste and boosting local processing. For the first time, the World Food Programme buys 30 percent of its rice from our farmers, a dramatic shift from years of near-total import dependence,” he added. The president noted that the story is the same for other food products. “Egg imports have decreased by 21 per cent, local onions are now cheaper than imported ones, and we are exporting vegetable oil for the first time.”
President Bio furthered that these results have been supported by real investments—”over 800 million dollars pledged, with 205 million dollars already committed to livestock, cassava, and rural roads. We launched a 10 million US dollar credit facility for modern equipment and Sierra Leone’s first crop insurance scheme. “
Human Capital Development
On the education front, President Bio said: “No nation can rise above the quality of its people. Education is the ladder families use to climb out of poverty and the foundation on which nations build prosperity. Since 2018, enrolment, retention, and completion rates have all risen. We have built over 1,500 classrooms and upgraded school water and sanitation facilities. We have trained more than 20,000 teachers, including 14,500 in early-grade literacy and numeracy. We continue to pay fees for NPSE, BECE, and WASSCE for every child.” President Bio explained further that girls are thriving as never before. “More girls are completing school and passing exams. Free sanitary pads, school feeding, and targeted support for child mothers are helping them return to school and succeed. Education is our moral duty. An educated child is a free child, a productive citizen and a future leader.”
Health Care
President Bio noted that “a nation’s wealth means little if its people are unhealthy. No mother should die while giving life. No child should die due to a lack of care. We have strengthened our healthcare system — building hospitals, training doctors, and expanding services to every district. Domestic health spending is up by 2%. The Sierra Leone Social Health Insurance Scheme is reducing out-of-pocket costs. The National Public Health Agency and our real-time disease surveillance system mean outbreaks are detected faster and responses are better.”
The President explained that Key investments include: The 166-bed Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Centre of Excellence in Lumley; Modernised regional and district hospitals; Ambulances in all 16 districts, and Oxygen plants in regional hospitals for critical care. “Maternal and newborn deaths have fallen by 70 percent, and immunisation coverage has improved nationwide. Off-grid solar now powers rural health centres, enabling safe night deliveries and vaccine storage. Healthcare is about dignity, survival, and hope”, President Bio emphasised.
Youth Employment
On the youth employment scheme, President Bio said If our youth do not find hope at home, they will look for it elsewhere, or worse fall prey to drugs and violence. “Two years ago, I launched the Youth Employment Scheme — a bold pledge to create half a million jobs in five years. This was a promise to fight for the right of every young Sierra Leonean to opportunity, dignity, and hope. Today, we are delivering on that promise. Jobs are being created across agriculture, mining, construction, energy, sports, the creative economy, and the digital sector”, said President Bio.
Thousands of young people are receiving technical training in various fields, including mechanics, construction, hospitality, welding, and entrepreneurship, he added.
“Over 250 young women have joined new programmes in digital literacy and business. Across the country, youth-led farming and fisheries projects are thriving. Under the World Bank–funded PSSNYE project, 8,000 young people will each receive seed funding to start or grow their businesses. But let me speak directly to our young people. You are the hands that will build Sierra Leone’s future. Your dreams matter more than our diamonds or our gold”, said President Bio emphatically.
Technology and Infrastructure Development
On the Technology and Infrastructure Development front, President Maada Bio warned that if we want Sierra Leone to compete in the modern world, we must invest in the tools of tomorrow—technology and infrastructure. “These are not luxuries; they are the foundations of jobs, opportunity, and national pride,” he added.
“At the 2025 Salone Innovates Digital Government Summit, we celebrated the creativity of our people — young innovators, especially women, designing solutions in AI, cybersecurity, coding, and entrepreneurship. A young farmer even won the Presidential Innovation Prize for a digital farming hub — proof that our youth can lead in innovation when given the chance; we celebrated the creativity of our people — young innovators, especially women, designing solutions in AI, cybersecurity, coding, and entrepreneurship. A young farmer even won the Presidential Innovation Prize for a digital farming hub — proof that our youth can lead in innovation when given the chance.”
President Bio further reported that government services are now easier to access under this fourth game changer. Payroll and attendance are digitised, cutting ghost workers. A new Government Yellow Page connects citizens directly to contacts and services across ministries. These reforms are backed by over $100 million in investments from China EXIM Bank and the World Bank, funding fibre-optic expansion in 14 districts, new digital skills programmes, and modern service platforms.
On the road infrastructure front, President Bio noted that through public-private partnerships, his government is financing the Koblo-Gulama (Mabang) Bridge and the 86 km Moyamba–Gbangbatoke Junction Road. Proposals for the 85 km Mano Junction–Tongo–Bumpeh (Koidu) Road are also under review. He added that in 2024, the Road Maintenance Fund supported the upkeep of 1,403 km of roads, culverts, bridges, and ferries and created a modern road condition database with the ILO. This year, NLe 39.7 million has been allocated to local councils for road maintenance and rehabilitation. Beyond roads, he said transport is also about connecting people and building inclusion. “We launched 50 Waka Fine buses, serving 25,000 passengers daily — nearly half of them women and people with disabilities. At Lumley, we opened a modern Public Transit Terminal and are building a marketplace with daycare for 2,500 traders — giving working mothers a safer, more supportive space.”
Revamping the Public Service
President Bio was very emphatic when he touched on revamping the public service which is his fifth and final game changer. “Good governance begins with a public service that truly serves the people — one that is efficient, fair, and accountable. A Government can only deliver when its institutions are strong, trusted, and focused on results.
“Over the past year, we have taken bold steps to transform our public service into a modern, professional institution that delivers for every Sierra Leonean. For the first time since 2011, we updated the Civil Services Code, introduced clear performance appraisals, and digitised key HR processes — from recruitment to training. These changes are building a culture of professionalism and accountability”, said President Bio
Peace and National Cohesion
As a scholar with a Master’s degree in Peace and Development Studies, I strongly identify with the President’s call for unity and stability, Hon. Moijueh emphasized. Peace is paramount. Without peace and stability, we cannot build the Sierra Leone our people deserve.
He further praised President Bio’s commitment to dialogue through the Tripartite Committee and the National Unity and Peace Agreement, both designed to address post-election tensions and promote political reconciliation. “The Tripartite engagement, though sensitive, represents a bold step toward inclusive governance”, Hon Moijueh said. It shows that the President is willing to reach out, build consensus, and give the opposition a platform to contribute to national reform. That demonstrates true leadership and a genuine desire for peace,” he added.
While acknowledging the progress made, Hon. Moijueh admitted that the country’s electoral system still poses challenges that must be addressed through reforms. The President himself recognizes these systemic issues,” he said. The Tripartite Committee’s work is crucial in ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in future elections.
Looking ahead, Hon. Moijueh expressed optimism about Sierra Leone’s political trajectory, stating that if all political actors demonstrate sincerity and commitment to peace, the 2028 elections could mark a historic turning point. “If we approach the reform process in good faith, the 2028 elections will be remembered not for conflict, but for peace and democratic maturity, he said.
He concluded by citing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report, which reminds Sierra Leoneans that democracy alone cannot guarantee peace unless it is inclusive and just. “The government’s current reform efforts give hope”, he remarked. “They aim to strengthen our democratic institutions, align them with the people’s aspirations, and build a foundation for lasting peace and progress.”
President Bio’s speech also echoed the strides his government has made in the area of revamping the country’s economy with its economic outlook looking very good, including the scaling down of inflation to single digits. He however emphasised that there is need for the country to get a fair share of its huge minerals to support the country’s economic development and growth.
Copyright –Published in Expo Magazine, September-October 2025 Edition Vol.3, No.6, (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
