By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The College of Digital Excellence (CODE) made history on Saturday, November 8, 2025, when it held its first-ever graduation ceremony at Choithram International School in Freetown. The event celebrated 102 pioneering graduates and marked a defining moment in Sierra Leone’s march toward digital empowerment and innovation.
Founded in April 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Choithram Group, CODE was established to equip young Sierra Leoneans with digital and entrepreneurial skills. Its training covers coding, design, innovation and entrepreneurship building a workforce ready to compete globally and transform the nation’s digital landscape.
Delivering the opening address, CODE’s Director and Co-founder, Niharika Agnani, described the day as a milestone for both the graduates and the nation. “Today marks a milestone not only for our graduates but for Sierra Leone’s growing digital future,” she said. Niharika Agnani praised the graduates’ resilience and encouraged them to use their skills to create meaningful change, noting that digital excellence is about “using technology to transform lives.”
She commended Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, the First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), for her tireless advocacy for women’s empowerment and education. “Your Excellency, your presence here reinforces our shared vision of a Sierra Leone where every young person, regardless of gender, has access to the tools and knowledge to shape their own future,” she remarked.
Niharika Agnani also saluted Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, for advancing gender inclusion in technology. “You are pioneers; the trailblazers who will define what this institution stands for,” she told the graduates.
Guest speaker Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank, urged the graduates to pursue excellence, innovation and integrity as guiding principles. “Excellence does not just mean being good; it means going beyond the ordinary,” he said. “The future belongs to those who combine intellect with purpose and innovation.”
Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin emphasized that true excellence lies not just in academic success but in applying knowledge to solve real problems. He called on the graduates to embrace technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital finance to drive national development. “You are the generation that will lead Sierra Leone into this new digital era. Embrace it with confidence and creativity,” he urged.
Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi encouraged graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers. “No nation can grow without its people being developed. Empowerment begins with education and skills,” she said.
She commended CODE for complementing President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s Human Capital Development Agenda, which focuses on education, innovation and inclusion. “As you graduate today, make sure you become job creators and not job seekers. Let this cohort change that narrative by using your knowledge to innovate, build and employ others,” she advised.
Dr. Isata Mahoi also celebrated CODE’s progress in closing the gender gap in technology, revealing that 32 out of 132 graduates were women; a figure expected to rise in future years. She further linked that progress to the First Lady’s “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign, which empowers young women to pursue education and leadership.
His Excellency, Shri Baisnab Charan Pradhan, the High Commissioner of India to Sierra Leone, congratulated the graduates, calling their success a milestone for Sierra Leone’s digital future. He praised the Choithram Group for investing in education and healthcare and reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone through initiatives like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships.
“Graduation is not the end of learning; it is the beginning of your role as contributors to nation-building,” he said. He encouraged the graduates to apply their knowledge in ways that advance innovation, governance and community development, urging them to carry forward values of discipline, integrity and service.
Delivering her keynote address, First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, congratulated the graduates, describing them as “torchbearers of Sierra Leone’s digital future.” She noted that Sierra Leone’s investments in human capital and digital literacy under President Bio’s leadership demonstrate the country’s readiness to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“This institution is not just a beautiful building; it is a house of excellence, a place where the future of Sierra Leone is being shaped,” she said.
Dr. Fatima Bio emphasized that technology must be used to promote inclusion, justice and dignity. “Technology is not just about innovation; it is about inclusion and justice. Ask yourselves, what problem will I solve, whose life will I improve and what legacy will I leave behind?” she challenged the graduates.
Encouraging them to lead with courage and compassion, she said, “One day, Sierra Leone will have a female President because leadership is not about gender; it’s about vision, courage and purpose.”
Representing the graduating class, Mohamed Kamara and Fatmata Bah delivered emotional valedictory speeches reflecting the journey of transformation and discovery they had shared.
Mohamed Kamara described the day as a celebration of growth and purpose. “Our journey at CODE has not only been about acquiring knowledge but about finding purpose, building character and learning to serve our communities,” he said. He urged his peers to use their education to solve real challenges. “Let us not just dream, but act. Let us use what we have learned to make a meaningful impact.”
Fatmata Bah’s speech focused on resilience and human-centered innovation. “At CODE, we didn’t just learn about systems and codes; we learned resilience, teamwork and what it truly means to rise again stronger,” she said. She urged her fellow graduates to pair technology with compassion. “The world we are stepping into is powered by technology, but it is waiting for people with heart people with courage, creativity and compassion.”
She concluded with a powerful declaration: “Digital excellence isn’t just the name of our college; it’s who we are. Wherever we go, let’s light up our communities with purpose and innovation. We didn’t just finish school; we launched.”
The graduation ceremony brought together dignitaries, educators, parents and students all united by a shared belief in the power of education and technology to transform lives. From the stirring speeches to the emotional reflections of the graduates, the event underscored Sierra Leone’s growing confidence in its youth-driven digital future.
As the graduates threw their caps into the air, it symbolized more than the end of a chapter; it marked the birth of a new digital generation. CODE’s first graduating class represents the spirit of innovation, resilience and excellence that will define Sierra Leone’s path toward sustainable development.
Through visionary leadership, strong partnerships and a commitment to inclusive education, the College of Digital Excellence has not only empowered 102 young Sierra Leoneans but also ignited a movement; one that places technology, creativity and human potential at the heart of the nation’s transformation.
