Professor Pierre Gomez, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, has been honoured with the Quiet Achiever Award at the 2026 TFN Heroes Awards held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo.

The award, presented during The Fatu Network’s annual Heroes Awards ceremony on Saturday night, recognises individuals whose impact is felt through service, leadership and results rather than public fanfare.

The awards celebrate Gambians who have made significant contributions to national development across various sectors.

Receiving the award, Professor Gomez expressed gratitude for the recognition and dedicated the honour to national service.
“Thank you for the recognition. To God be the glory. We are laborers of the Republic. Lux Mea Lex,” he said.

Professor Gomez has become one of the most prominent figures in the government’s higher education and skills development agenda, overseeing reforms in tertiary education, technical and vocational training, research, innovation and science policy.

His ministry has in recent years spearheaded efforts aimed at expanding access to higher education, strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), promoting research and innovation, and improving infrastructure within public institutions.

The TFN Heroes Awards, now one of the country’s most high-profile recognition platforms, honours individuals and institutions whose work has positively impacted Gambian society.

This year’s ceremony brought together government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives, artists and development partners to celebrate excellence and service.

For Professor Gomez, the Quiet Achiever Award serves as recognition of years of work in education and public service, much of it carried out away from the spotlight.

By Adama Makasuba