Souleymane Niang University of Matam: rector calls for faster construction ahead of October

Construction work at Souleymane Niang University of Matam must be accelerated to allow students to be welcomed when the institution is expected to open in October. During a visit to the site on Tuesday, rector Mamadou Sidibé said progress was insufficient and called for greater mobilisation around the announced timetable.

Delays attributed to transporting materials

Being built by Dental BTP, the project has slowed due to difficulties transporting materials, according to the company. Mamadou Sidibé called on the authorities to exert greater pressure so that the company increases the pace of work.

The rector said he had no information confirming any possible cash-flow difficulties. He also said disruptions to maritime transport and the international context, cited to explain the delays, should not jeopardise the commitment made regarding the opening of the institution.

Goal: welcome students in 2026-2027

Souleymane Niang University of Matam is expected to be among the institutions set to receive students during the 2026-2027 academic year, alongside the University of Eastern Senegal. Mamadou Sidibé wants the infrastructure delivered on time so that new high-school graduates assigned to Matam can begin their studies under conditions comparable to those offered at other universities.

Dental BTP has also contributed 50 million CFA francs in aid to disaster victims in Matam. For the rector, this commitment to the region must also be accompanied by an effective acceleration of work on the university project.