The Gambia has named Professor Momodou Sallah as the inaugural Executive Director of the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF), a landmark appointment announced by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST). Appointed by President Adama Barrow following the enactment of the NRIF Act of 2025, Sallah is tasked with leading the Fund to drive sustainable, knowledge-based development.
Sallah, a distinguished academic and former Professor of Teaching and Learning at De Montfort University in the UK, brings over 20 years of expertise in academia, research, and project management. As Executive Director, he will oversee the NRIF’s operations, providing strategic leadership to finance research, innovation, and development in post-secondary education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and key economic sectors.
A recipient of the UK National Teaching Fellowship (2013) and the Times Higher Education Most Innovative Teacher award (2015), Sallah has managed over $1.5 million in projects funded by the World Bank and other global donors. His recent role as Operational Manager of The Gambia’s Central Projects Coordinating Unit honed his skills in financial governance and cross-institutional coordination. Notably, as Principal Investigator for The Gambia Centre of Excellence Project, he transformed the Gambia Technical Training Institute into the University of Science, Engineering, and Technology (USET), establishing an Innovation and Incubation Lab and a Quality Assurance system.
Honourable Minister Professor Pierre Gomez praised the appointment, stating, “Professor Sallah’s international stature and commitment to The Gambia make him the ideal leader to build the NRIF, unlocking the potential of our researchers and entrepreneurs.”
Sallah expressed his dedication, saying, “I am honoured to lead this transformative initiative. The NRIF will foster an inclusive innovation ecosystem, driving economic growth and social progress through research and entrepreneurship.”
Established in 2025, the NRIF aims to strengthen The Gambia’s innovation system, supporting researchers, innovators, and small businesses to create jobs and access new markets, aligning with MoHERST’s mission to advance sustainable socio-economic development through education, science, and technology.
