Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has pledged government action on a series of longstanding concerns raised by faculty and staff of the University of Liberia, following an emergency meeting with the leadership of the University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association (ULFASA).
ULFASA President Assist. Prof. Alhaji S. M. Dukuly disclosed the developments Friday, August 21, during the association’s Emergency General Assembly at the University of Liberia’s Fendall campus.
Dukuly said the meeting with President Boakai followed weeks of tension between ULFASA and the University administration over working conditions, outstanding financial obligations, salary adjustments, changes in employee status and the condition of university facilities.
According to Dukuly, the association had earlier instructed its Executive Committee to disengage from academic and administrative activities and present its demands to the University administration and the government.
He said the decision followed concerns that faculty and staff believed had not received adequate attention from the University administration.
Dukuly said the Executive Committee subsequently held several meetings with University officials in an effort to resolve the issues through dialogue.
However, he said only limited progress was made on the substantive concerns raised by faculty and staff.
The situation became more difficult, according to the ULFASA president, when the University administration instructed faculty and staff to return to work while several of the association’s demands remained unresolved.
Dukuly also said members of the association’s leadership faced threats, including warnings that members of the Executive Committee could face dismissal if they failed to call off the disengagement.
He said the association nevertheless maintained its position and continued to pursue dialogue.
“We chose courage over convenience, principle over intimidation, unity over division,” Dukuly told the General Assembly.
The dispute eventually reached the Executive Mansion after ULFASA publicly reaffirmed its position.
Dukuly said the Office of President Boakai contacted the association and invited its leadership to discuss the issues behind the disengagement.
The meeting took place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the President’s residence in Paynesville, according to Dukuly.
He said the ULFASA delegation used the meeting to explain what it considered to be significant differences between the University’s presentation of the dispute and the conditions faculty and staff said they were experiencing on campus.
Dukuly said the delegation also addressed concerns surrounding a recent video recording involving a University official, which he said had influenced information reaching the President’s office.
After hearing the association’s presentation, Dukuly said President Boakai acknowledged that several of the issues required urgent attention.
One of the major issues discussed was the condition of University of Liberia facilities.
Dukuly described the physical condition of some campuses as unacceptable for Liberia’s national university, citing leaking roofs, deteriorating classrooms, damaged ceilings, non-functional restrooms, inadequate lighting and other infrastructure problems.
He said President Boakai directed that rehabilitation of University facilities begin and called for a multi-sector committee to oversee the process.
According to Dukuly, the committee is expected to include representatives of the Ministry of State, Ministry of Public Works, the University administration and ULFASA.
The Ministry of Public Works is expected to serve as the lead implementing agency, while ULFASA would participate in monitoring the work and promoting transparency and accountability.
Dukuly said the government has allocated US$6.3 million for the rehabilitation effort, which he said is intended primarily to improve existing University facilities rather than construct new buildings.
Another major issue raised was the University’s outstanding obligations involving the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP).
Dukuly said faculty and staff approaching retirement have faced uncertainty because contributions owed on their behalf have not been fully settled.
He said President Boakai directed the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to ensure payment of L$2.4 billion required to bring the University into compliance with its NASSCORP obligations for employees expected to retire during the relevant period.
Dukuly said the move is intended to help ensure that eligible employees receive retirement benefits after years of service.
The ULFASA leadership also raised the issue of an outstanding 40 percent salary increment for faculty members.
According to Dukuly, University officials told the President that nearly all faculty members had already received the promised increment.
ULFASA challenged that position, presenting information it said showed that some faculty members were still owed portions of the adjustment.
Dukuly said President Boakai subsequently directed that the matter be reviewed and that a formal recommendation be prepared for possible inclusion in the 2027 National Budget.
Another issue involves faculty and staff whose employment status and compensation have not been adjusted after they returned from study leave with additional academic qualifications or received promotions.
Dukuly said some employees have obtained higher qualifications or assumed new responsibilities but have continued to receive salaries and benefits that do not reflect their current status.
He said President Boakai directed that outstanding change-of-status cases be verified and incorporated into the 2027 budget process.
A committee is expected to review the pending cases and determine the appropriate titles, salaries and benefits based on employees’ qualifications and responsibilities.
Dukuly said the issues raised by ULFASA extend beyond compensation.
He described them as matters involving the dignity, fairness and recognition of faculty and staff who teach, conduct research, mentor students and provide essential services to the University.
The association also raised concerns over the University’s Human Resources Manual.
Dukuly said ULFASA had spent several days reviewing the draft manual and submitted recommendations intended to ensure that the document was consistent with the University’s Charter and the interests of faculty and staff.
However, he said the Board of Trustees subsequently approved the manual without adequately incorporating the recommendations submitted by the association.
Dukuly said ULFASA communicated its concerns to the University’s leadership and maintained that faculty and staff should have meaningful input into policies affecting their employment.
The ULFASA president presented the developments as an outcome of collective action by faculty and staff rather than the work of individual leaders.
He said the association’s unity allowed its leadership to maintain its position despite pressure and ultimately secure direct engagement with the President.
Dukuly emphasized that the association remains committed to dialogue and negotiations rather than confrontation.
He said the meeting with President Boakai demonstrated the importance of presenting grievances directly and ensuring that decision-makers receive accurate information about conditions at the University.
The developments now place attention on implementation.
While the President has reportedly directed government agencies and committees to address several of the concerns, the actual impact on faculty and staff will depend on whether the commitments are translated into concrete action, budgetary allocations and completed projects.
For ULFASA, Dukuly said, the objective remains to improve conditions for employees and strengthen the University of Liberia as Liberia’s national institution of higher learning.
