Bongolistically,
Mallam O.
When in 2020 I was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University—Sierra Leone’s second-largest public university—while still serving since 2018 as Statistician General and CEO of Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), I knew I had a monumental task ahead.
Managing two national institutions concurrently required exceptional time management but also a revolutionary leadership approach anchored in trust, delegation, and the philosophy I pioneered called Bongology.
The Masterful Balancing Act
Recognisng that bilocation remains beyond human capability, I negotiated a flexible schedule with the Chairman of the Stats SL Council that became a case study in executive time management. I dedicated three intensive days at Stats SL and two transformative days at Njala University each week, seamlessly adjusting whenever national priorities demanded, such serving on the presidential Scientific and Technical Advisory Group on Emergencies (STAGE COVID-19). This arrangement allowed me to remain intimately connected with critical matters at both institutions while ensuring neither suffered even a moment’s neglect from my divided attention.
My car became a mobile command centre, with my excellent former driver James Kargbo cruising Sierra Leone’s West-South roads as I transitioned between my dual kingdoms of data and academia.
Empowering My Extraordinary Deputies
The cornerstone of my success was trusting and empowering my exceptional deputies—visionary leaders who shared my philosophy and embodied its principles with strong commitment.
- At Stats SL, I found a brother in Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny, my steadfast and capable Deputy Statistician General who now expectedly holds the substantive position of Statistician General and CEO of Stats SL. Far more than an assistant, he was the institution’s backbone, handling complex day-to-day operations with remarkable diligence, loyalty and foresight. While I reviewed critical reports, provided strategic guidance, and ensured alignment with our ambitious national data goals, Mr. Johnny’s leadership ensured that every statistical initiative maintained high standards even in my absence.
- At Njala University, I strengthened an unbreakable alliance with the distinguished Deputy Vice-Chancellors: Prof Mohamed S Fofanah (Bo Campus) and Prof Bashiru M Koroma (Njala Campus). Prof Bashiru M Koroma who was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (my direct Deputy) now holds the substantive position as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University. A discovered blessing: Both Prof Fofanah and Prof Koroma were in my Student Union Government when I was President. A few of the Deans and HODs were either my students, members in my government or were college mates. Like masterful conductors, we orchestrated sweeping academic policies, groundbreaking administrative reforms, and innovative financial management strategies. Their extraordinary dedication transformed our vision into tangible institutional advancement, allowing me to focus on revolutionary oversight while they brilliantly executed our shared mission.
- Through intensive mentorship, I ensured my deputies fully embodied Bongolistic values, creating vibrant work environments where employees to a large extent felt valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully to our shared institutional success.
- Transformative Results & Enduring Legacy
- By leveraging the extraordinary capabilities of my deputies and maintaining firm commitment to my leadership philosophy, we orchestrated success at both institutions without the slightest compromise in efficiency or excellence. The team at Stats SL revolutionised national data collection and analysis, setting new benchmarks for statistical agencies across subregion, while the team at Njala University achieved a renaissance in academic governance, administrative efficiency, and national recognition.
- My dual leadership conclusively demonstrated that with the right team, a transformative vision, and principles applied with consistency, one can manage dramatically elevate even the most demanding institutional responsibilities simultaneously.
- The bongology philosophy continues to inspire my leadership at the *University of Management and Technology (UNIMTECH) where I act as Vice-Chancellor and Principal.
- Have a wonderful weekend.
- Mallam O.