The Board of Trustees of the University of Liberia announces a multi-stakeholder committee to search for the university’s next president. The committee will be chaired by Catholic Archbishop Blamo Jubwe and is expected to complete its work within 90 days.
The decision was made during an extraordinary session convened at the instruction of President Joseph Boakai to address the current issues facing the university. The new “Ad-Hoc Mediation Committee” will engage with all university stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and student leadership.
In addition to Archbishop Jubwe, the committee members include Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, the 12th President of UL, Dr. Ophelia Inez Weeks, the 14th President of UL, and several other prominent figures from the university community and the broader Liberian society.
The Board of Trustees has also issued several directives to the current university administration, including the immediate resumption of all academic and administrative activities, the timely payment of part-time faculty, and the completion of the ongoing semester within 90 days. An audit of the university has also been ordered within the same timeframe.
The moves come amid a crisis within the university, with faculty and staff associations demanding the removal of President Nelson and the resolution of longstanding salary issues. The Board has called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of the university during this transitional period.
“The Board of Trustees appeals for the cooperation of all stakeholders of the University in observing these measures in the interest of the smooth running of the University,” the statement said.
