Senegal's parliamentary commission of inquiry into the "One Student, One Computer" program is set to take a significant step forward. Following recent hearings that revealed a lack of contracts and questionable documentary practices, the commission is now preparing to hear from former Ministers of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. These ministers served in the ministry between 2019 and 2026. The commission's schedule, released by the National Assembly's Directorate of Communication and Public Relations, indicates that these hearings will take place from October 12 to 16, 2026.
The first former minister to be questioned is Abdoulaye Daouda DIALLO, who served as Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of the Budget. He will appear before the commission on Thursday, October 15, at 2:30 PM. Other former ministers, including Cheikh Oumar HANN, who served from April 2019 to September 2022, Moussa BALDÉ, who took over from September 2022 to April 2024, and Daouda NGOM, who served from September 6, 2025, to June 1, 2026, will also be heard.
These former ministers will be required to explain the genesis, implementation, and monitoring of the program, which has engaged 48 billion CFA francs in commitments. Before hearing from the ministers, the commission will question several high-ranking administrative and financial officials. On October 12, Malick SOW, former Secretary-General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MESRI) from 2017 to 2019, will be the first to be heard.
On October 13, the commission will hear from Fary SEYE, current Secretary-General of MESRI since December 2019, and Amadou Abdoul SOW, former Director-General of Higher Education from 2017 to 2024. Abdoul Aziz DIOUF, former Director-General of Higher Education from 2024 to 2026, and Aboubacry NIANE, former Director of Financing of Higher Education Institutions from 2012 to 2025, will also be questioned.
The commission will also focus on the financial aspects of the program. On October 14, Sahid YALLOU, Director-General of Ecobank Senegal, whose institution hosts the 2 billion CFA francs guarantee fund for the program, will be heard. Additionally, Amadou Tidiane GAYE, Director-General of Public Accounting and Treasury, and Kor FAYÉ, former Paymaster General of the Treasury, will be questioned.
The "One Student, One Computer" program has been under scrutiny due to alleged irregularities. The parliamentary commission's hearings aim to shed light on the program's implementation and identify potential wrongdoing. The commission's work will help to determine whether the program has been executed in accordance with regulations and whether public funds have been used efficiently.
The hearings will provide an opportunity for the former ministers and officials to provide their accounts of the program's implementation. The commission's findings will be crucial in determining the future of the program and ensuring that those responsible for any irregularities are held accountable.
Key points
- The parliamentary commission will hear from former ministers of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation between October 12 and 16, 2026.
- The "One Student, One Computer" program has engaged 48 billion CFA francs in commitments.
- The commission aims to investigate alleged irregularities in the program's implementation.
