The Third Annual Distinguished Lecture in African Studies

Join us for The 3rd Annual Distinguished Lecture in African Studies featuring His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone. He will be speaking on the topic: "Navigating the Future: Democracy, Progressive Politics and Inclusive Development in Africa - The Sierra Leone Experience".

His Excellency Julius Maada Bio was inaugurated as the fifth President of the Republic of Sierra Leone on the 12th of May 2018 and is currently serving his second five-year mandate.

President Bio began his public service career as a school teacher before joining the Sierra Leone Armed Forces, where he rose to become the country's military Head of State in January 1996.

He led a swift and smooth transition to multi-party democracy and initiated the peace talks that led to the signing of a peace accord in Sierra Leone, where he is fondly referred to as the "Father of Democracy".

President Bio's political leadership priority hinges on Human Capital Development, focusing on education, gender equality, youth empowerment, agriculture and health.

He has dedicated his time in leadership towards equipping Sierra Leoneans, especially its vibrant young people, with the requisite tools to become global citizens and ready for the 21st Century World.

President Bio’s reputation as a passionate reformer and an apostle of good governance has put him forward for key pan-African leadership roles. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the African Union’s African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and the Committee of Ten (C-10) Heads of State and Government on the reform of the United Nations Security Council. Also, he is the ECOWAS Special Envoy on the political situation in the Republic of Niger.

His leadership has continued to attract continental and global commendation. He is a Global Champion for Education and Foundational Learning for the United Nations. He was named the Top 100 Most Influential Africans by the New African Magazine in 2023 and African of the Year – 2022 by the African Leadership Magazine UK.

On the global stage, President Bio has continued to accentuate the message of a resurgent Sierra Leone ─ one that is not limited by her past but shaped for greatness by it.

President Bio holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in International Relations and Politics from the American University Washington DC and recently received the University's distinguished Global Alumni Leader Award 2023.