DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE
COL (RTD) SIMEON N. SHERIFF - MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
BACKGROUND
Col SN Sheriff was born on 10 August 1959 in Najay, Panga – Kabondeh Chiefdom, Pujehun District in the Southern Part of Sierra Leone. The town is located nine miles from the District Headquarters of Pujehun.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Colonel Sheriff started his primary education at the Roman Catholic Primary School in Mosenten, Kwamebai Krim Chiefdom in Bonthe District.
He proceeded to the St Patrick’s Primary School Bonthe and Holy Family Primary Pujehun where he completed his primary school education.
Col Sheriff started his Secondary education at St Paul’s Secondary School in Pujehun and later enrolled at the Eastern Polytechnic (formerly called Technical Institute)
in Kenema and studied Engineering at a diploma level. Thereafter, he attended Services Secondary School in Freetown to acquire his General Certificate of Education. In 1985,
he attended the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom as a cadet officer and was commissioned. He further graduated in the Regular Career College Sandhurst.
He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Development and Economics from the institute of Advanced Management and Technology affiliate of Njala University.
He has a Master of Arts Degree in Defense Studies from the School of Humanities, King’s College London (University of London).
Col SN Sheriff is a fellow of the National Defense University in Beijing and a Research Student in the Africa Graduate University, Sierra Leone.
He has authored the following documents:
• The MOD’s Security Advisory
• Security Sector Review in Sierra Leone
• Defense White Paper
• Counter Terrorism Strategy
• Sierra Leone National Security and Policy document to mention but a few.
MILITARY TRAINING ATTENDED
Col (Rtd) SN Sheriff attended various Military courses whilst in service. Some of which are Junior Division Staff Course (JDSC) in Jaji Nigeria in 1995,
Company Commander’s Course (Combat Team), Advanced Command and Staff Course (Senior Division) in 1999 – 2001 at the Joint services Command and Staff College Shrivenham,
Swindon, UK and War College in China. He holds certificates in Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom (Cranfield),
Next generation of Africa Military Leaders Course, African Union Senior Leaders on Peacekeeping Operations at the Ethiopian Ministry of National Defence (EMOND), Addis Ababa,
National Security Studies Publisher at the Galilee College, Israel, Diploma in Field Artillery at Field Artillery School Fort Sill Oklahoma, United State
MILITARY APPOINTMENTS HELD
Col. SN Sheriff held various appointments in the RSLAF, ranging from Platoon Commander, Adjutant, Company Commander of various units across RSLAF,
Staff Officer Grade 3 and 2 operations, Staff Officer Grade 2 Intelligence Headquarters, Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Training Centre,
Commander 1& 4 Infantry Battalions .He Commanded 5 Infantry Brigade in 2005 - 2007 and later appointed Director of Defence Personnel,
Chief of Staff Joint Force Command, Acting Commander Joint Force Headquarters, Director Military Operations at the Ministry of Defense until his retirement in 2015.
FAMILY
Colonel (retired) Simeon Nasiru Sheriff is separated from his wife and has 4 children.
HOBBIES
As a keen sportsman, he likes jogging, playing volley ball and reading. He has great passion for the military.
