The Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) and the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) on Friday signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening social security compliance, institutional accountability and quality assurance across The Gambia’s tertiary and higher education sector.
Signed on 31st July, 2026, at NAQAA’s headquarters, the agreement seeks to confront one of the less visible weaknesses in education systems — poor institutional governance and inadequate payment of SSHFC contributions for the people who deliver education.
The partnership requires tertiary and higher education institutions regulated by NAQAA to comply with the SSHFC Act 2015. This includes registering with SSHFC, enrolling eligible employees and remitting statutory social security contributions consistently and on time in accordance with the law.
SSHFC Managing Director Saloum Malang described the agreement as a strategic partnership designed to strengthen institutional governance, regulatory compliance and social protection.
“This MoU represents more than a formal agreement. It reflects our shared commitment to protecting the rights and future of employees within the tertiary education sector while promoting institutional accountability and regulatory compliance. Through this partnership, we will work together to ensure that every eligible employee benefit from the social security protections,” Mr Malang said.
He said NAQAA-accredited institutions have a responsibility to protect eligible employees and treat compliance as an investment in their welfare, dignity and long-term security, adding that the collaboration supports government’s broader agenda of strengthening public institutions, improving regulatory coordination, and expanding social protection coverage across all sectors of the economy.
“This partnership is founded on the principle that compliance should be viewed not just as a legal requirement, but as an investment in the welfare, dignity, and long-term security of employees. Every worker deserves the assurance that their retirement benefits are protected, and every responsible employer has a duty to contribute towards that security,” he added.
MD Malang expressed his sincere appreciation to the management of NAQAA, under the capable leadership of Dr Momodou Lamin Tarro, for the warm reception accorded to the SSHFC delegation. He commended the Authority for its steadfast commitment to ensuring that quality standards are upheld across tertiary and higher education institutions in The Gambia.
NAQAA Chief Executive Officer Dr Tarro framed the agreement as a partnership between institutions with complementary mandates.
“NAQAA regulates and assures quality in tertiary and higher education, while SSHFC protects workers’ social and economic interests through social security and housing finance services.”
He added that the agreement creates an opportunity for NAQAA to integrate social security compliance more firmly into its broader quality-assurance framework.
“This MoU represents much more than the signing of a formal agreement. It reflects the convergence of two institutions with complementary mandates and a common objective strengthening institutional compliance and promoting national development.”
The collaboration, he added, will encourage higher education institutions to strengthen their governance systems while safeguarding the welfare of their employees.
The two institutions plan to coordinate compliance monitoring, share information, engage stakeholders and conduct capacity-building initiatives. A joint technical committee will oversee implementation, coordinate activities and monitor progress over the five-year period.
The partnership places a clear responsibility on education providers to fulfill their statutory obligations as employers. It underscores that institutions benefiting from public trust, student enrolment, and national recognition must also ensure full compliance with their social security obligations, thereby safeguarding the retirement benefits and welfare of their employees.
