In a solemn and spiritually uplifting ceremony, the management, staff, and students of SupDeCo Campus Banjul on Saturday, 14 March gathered at the Old Jeshwang Mosque in Kanifing, Banjul, The Gambia to honor the memory of the institution’s late founder and Chief Executive Officer, Aboubacar Sedikh Sy, with a special Holy Quran recitation held during the sacred month of Ramadan.
The event served as a heartfelt tribute to the renowned Senegalese education pioneer who passed away on October 27, 2025, in France, leaving behind a profound legacy in the advancement of private higher education in Senegal and across Africa.
Leading the tribute, the Director General of SupDeCo Campus Banjul, Abdou Faye, described the late Sy as a visionary builder whose passion for education transformed the academic landscape in the region.
“His passing has left a great void in higher education,” Mr. Faye said. “But his vision, commitment to excellence, and belief in empowering young Africans through education will continue to guide the mission of SupDeCo.”
Founded by Sy, Groupe SupdeCo Dakar has grown into one of West Africa’s respected private higher education institutions, nurturing generations of students and professionals. Known for his commitment to academic excellence and educational entrepreneurship, Sy played a pivotal role in strengthening private education across the continent.
Beyond his role as founder and CEO, Sy was widely respected in Senegal’s educational and business circles. He served as President of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles, President of the Private Sector Foundation for Education, and Vice-President for Strategy and Development at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Dakar. He was also a member of the Presidential Investment Council, and served on the board of the National Authority for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, Research and Innovation, among several other national institutions.
His contributions earned him numerous honors, including being named Commander of the National Order of Merit in 2008 and Knight of the National Order of the Lion in 2015, among other distinctions recognizing his invaluable service to education and national development.
During the tribute ceremony, staff and students shared emotional reflections on the late educationist’s impact.
Adja Idiatou Diallo Accountant Assistant at SUP DE CO BANJUL CAMPUS described Sy as a “hero who dedicated his life to education,” noting that although she never met him personally, his work profoundly shaped her life.
“SupDeCo became my refuge and gave meaning to my life when I was going through a difficult time,” she said, recounting how the institution helped her rebuild her future after arriving in The Gambia as a student.
Similarly, Zainab Fakih Academic Assistant praised the late founder’s enduring influence, emphasizing that his vision and leadership continue to guide the institution’s mission to strengthen education and empower students.
On behalf of the student body, Mam Marie Darboe President students’ union expressed gratitude for the opportunities created through Sy’s leadership. She said his dedication to academic excellence and youth empowerment would continue to inspire generations of SupDeCo students.
As Quranic verses echoed through the mosque, prayers were offered for the repose of his soul, with participants asking Almighty Allah to grant him eternal peace and reward him for his lifelong service to education.
Though gone, many said the legacy of Aboubacar Sedikh Sy remains firmly embedded in the values and aspirations of the SupDeCo community—an enduring testament to a visionary whose dream was to shape Africa’s future through knowledge and leadership.
