A 75-year-old Sierra Leonean, Mohamed Lamin Turay, has demonstrated that age is no barrier to education after passing the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with credits in five subjects.
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Key Highlights
- Mohamed Lamin Turay, 75, earned credits in five subjects in the 2026 WASSCE.
- He started school at 69, becoming Sierra Leone’s oldest recorded NPSE candidate in 2019/2020.
- He passed the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2023.
- He reportedly recorded an F9 in English Language.
- Turay says he dreams of becoming Speaker of Sierra Leone’s Parliament.
Turay’s achievement represents another significant step in an extraordinary educational journey that began at the age of 69, when he became Sierra Leone’s oldest recorded candidate to sit the 2019/2020 National Primary School Examination (NPSE).
He made history when he enrolled at Rose of Shalom Primary School in Makeni to sit the examination, defying age-related expectations and embarking on a journey that has continued to attract attention.
From Primary School To WASSCE
After successfully passing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2023, Turay proceeded to the senior secondary level, culminating in his latest achievement at 75.
Although he obtained passes in five subjects in the 2026 WASSCE, he reportedly recorded an F9 in English Language, a subject that several candidates also found challenging this year.
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Dream Of Becoming Speaker Of Parliament
Speaking with Probe Media-SL during the examination period, Turay revealed that his educational ambition extends beyond acquiring academic qualifications, disclosing his lifelong dream of becoming the Speaker of Sierra Leone’s Parliament.
His remarkable journey has become an inspiring example of perseverance, determination and the pursuit of lifelong dreams, regardless of age.
From sitting his first major school examination at 69 to obtaining a senior secondary school certificate at 75, Turay has continued to challenge conventional expectations about when people should begin or pursue formal education.
While his ambition of becoming Speaker of Parliament remains a major aspiration, his latest academic achievement has already established him as an inspiring figure in Sierra Leone.
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