Julius Maada Bio

About

Sierra Leonean politician best recognized as the current and 5th president of Sierra Leone since April 4, 2018. He is a retired brigadier in the Sierra Leone Army and was the military head of state of Sierra Leone from January 16, 1996, to March 29, 1996, in a military junta government known as the National Provisional Ruling Council. 

Before Fame

He completed his primary education at the Holy Family Primary School in Pujehun. In 1984, he graduated from Bo School with an A-level at age 20. At 21, he applied for admission into Fourah Bay College in Freetown in 1985, and at 23, he graduated from the Military Academy as a Second Lieutenant in the Sierra Leone Army in October 1987. 

Trivia

In January 2023, he signed into law the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Bill, requiring parliamentary and local council elections to include women as at least 30% of candidates. 

Family Life

His father had nine wives. He is named after his paternal grandfather Julius Maada Wonie Bio, who was also a Sherbro paramount chief of Sogbini Chiefdom. He has an older sister named Agnes. He is married to Fatima Bio. 

Associated With

In July 2021, he attended the Global Education Summit and met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.