“You Must Come Out and Take the Bullets. That’s Leadership,” Minister Gomez Tells Protesting UTG Students

By Seedy Jobe

The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, has pledged to address the grievances of University of The Gambia (UTG) students following a protest over deteriorating conditions at the university’s Faraba Banta campus.

Professor Gomez made the commitment on Monday after personally receiving a petition from protesting students demanding urgent improvements in transportation, access to drinking water, internet connectivity, and other essential services affecting their welfare and academic activities.

Speaking to Kerr Fatou after receiving the petition, the minister defended his ministry’s record, saying the government had made significant investments in the university and had already begun addressing some of the concerns raised by the students.

He urged Gambians to compare conditions at UTG in previous years with the present situation, arguing that the progress made reflects his ministry’s commitment to improving higher education.

Asked why he chose to personally confront the protesting students, Professor Gomez said leadership requires taking responsibility, particularly when institutions face difficult challenges.

“You must come out and take the bullets. That’s leadership,” he said, emphasizing that public officials must be prepared to face criticism rather than retreat behind their offices.

The minister said he recognized that some of the students’ grievances had not been adequately addressed through existing administrative channels, making his personal intervention necessary.

He added that, as a public servant whose salary is funded by taxpayers, he had a responsibility to listen to the students and ensure their concerns received the attention they deserved.

According to Professor Gomez, genuine leadership is not measured by public praise but by the willingness to confront difficult situations, accept criticism, and deliver results.

Responding to questions about whether the government would meet the deadline set by the students, the minister pointed to commitments he made during an earlier appearance on Kerr Fatou, insisting that he had fulfilled those promises.

“You know, from your own station, I declared that we will meet the requirements in those days, some three or four years ago. And today, also, I’m telling the Gambian people, “Prof. Gomez yesterday is the same Prof. Gomez today,” he said.

Professor Gomez also stressed his personal connection to the university, explaining that he intends to return to academia after his tenure in government. He said this gives him an additional incentive to ensure that students and lecturers have a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The minister further announced plans to visit the Faraba Banta campus on Tuesday to begin addressing the students’ concerns.

He said the visit would follow an award ceremony for what he described as the country’s first student revolving loan scheme since independence.

The students’ protest has brought renewed attention to conditions at the Faraba Banta campus, where inadequate basic services continue to raise concerns about student welfare and the quality of the learning environment.

While Professor Gomez has promised government intervention, the extent and speed of the proposed measures remain to be seen, particularly as students await concrete action on the demands outlined in their petition.