Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in his capacity as Visitor to the University of Liberia (UL), has brokered an agreement among key stakeholders of the institution aimed at resolving longstanding disagreements and paving the way for the orderly resumption of normal academic and administrative activities.
President Boakai devoted Saturday to separate consultations with the leadership of the University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association, the University Administration, and the Board of Trustees as tensions mounted over conditions for returning the university to normal operations.
The President urged the parties to put the interests of students and the long-term stability of the university above institutional differences, warning that confrontation, threats and ultimatums should give way to dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation.
The consultations resulted in a number of commitments intended to address longstanding concerns, rebuild confidence and restore stability at Liberia’s premier public university.
Under the agreement, both the Faculty and Staff Association and the University Administration will withdraw recent statements that contributed to heightened tensions and recommit themselves to respectful, constructive and sustained engagement.
A major issue addressed during the discussions was retirement benefits for eligible university employees. The Government, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, will remit US$2.4 million to the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) to facilitate the immediate enrollment of eligible employees.
The parties also agreed that 40 percent of outstanding salaries owed to eligible beneficiaries will be included in the 2027 National Budget for consideration.
Infrastructure challenges at the university also featured prominently in the discussions, with President Boakai directing renewed attention to the deteriorating condition of existing facilities.
Under the agreement, priority will be given to renovating and rehabilitating existing structures before consideration is given to the proposed construction of a new classroom building.
The Ministry of Public Works will lead the renovation program and develop clear implementation timelines.
To strengthen oversight and prevent further delays, a special monitoring mechanism comprising representatives of the University Administration, faculty, the Board of Trustees and senior government officials will be established. The body will monitor the renovation works and submit weekly progress reports to President Boakai.
The meeting was also informed that 6,000 classroom chairs have already been secured, while arrangements are underway to procure an additional 14,000 chairs to improve learning conditions across the university.
President Boakai described the consultations as productive but stressed that the agreement must be followed by concrete action.
“The University of Liberia is bigger than any individual or disagreement. Our students must not become casualties of institutional differences. We must find solutions, restore confidence, and move this University forward,” President Boakai said.
The President called on the University Administration, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and relevant government institutions to work together in good faith and place the long-term interests of the university and Liberia above individual or institutional differences.
He further emphasized that dialogue should remain the preferred mechanism for resolving disputes within the university, while all stakeholders must respect established institutional processes, the university’s leadership structure and the authority and integrity of its Board of Trustees.
The agreement comes amid tensions that had threatened to further disrupt activities at the University of Liberia, with stakeholders divided over the conditions required for a return to normal operations.
President Boakai expressed appreciation to all parties for demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to find common ground, describing the agreement as an important step toward restoring stability and normalcy at his alma mater.
With the agreement now reached, the government expects all stakeholders to concentrate on implementing the outstanding measures needed to facilitate the orderly resumption of academic and administrative activities and provide students with a stable learning environment.
The deliberations were attended by a delegation from the Faculty and Staff Association led by Assistant Professor Alahaji S. M. Dukuly; University Administration leaders headed by Dr. Layli Maparyan and accompanied by Vice President Dr. Lester Z. Tenny; and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa.
Also participating were Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald N. Tweh, Minister of Local Government Francis Sakilah Nyumalin, Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jalleh, Senior Presidential Advisor Dr. Augustine Konneh, Presidential Legal Advisor Bushuben Keita, Director of the Cabinet Nathaniel T. Kwabo and Deputy Minister of State for Public Affairs Anthony V. Kesselly.
