 Introduction
Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and southwest. It has a population of around 5.5 million and covers an area of 43,000 square miles (111,369 km2). The official language is English. Over 20 indigenous languages are spoken, reflecting the country’s ethnic and cultural diversity. The capital and largest city is Monrovia.
Republic of Liberia
Liberia began in the early 19th century as a project of the American Colonization Society (ACS), which believed that black people would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States. Between 1822 and the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, more than 15,000 freed and free-born African Americans, along with 3,198 Afro-Caribbean’s, relocated to Liberia.
Gradually developing an Americo-Liberian identity, the settlers carried their culture and tradition with them while colonizing the indigenous population. Led by the Americo-Liberians, Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, which the U.S. did not recognize until February 5, 1862.
Liberia was the first African republic to gain independence and is Africa’s oldest continuously independent country. Ethiopia was never colonized, but endured an Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941. Both Liberia and Ethiopia were spared from the European colonial Scramble for Africa.
Mining in Liberia has been a significant economic driver since the 1960s, though it largely stopped during the Liberian civil wars. Since the end of the civil wars, mining activity increased with emphasis on industrial mining.
Mining has also led to concerns about environmental degradation and environmental destruction such as deforestation, water pollution, and air pollution. Industrial miners’ poor wages, working conditions, and living conditions have sparked protests from the beginning of the Liberian mining industry continuing to today.
Education and Economic
Based on information regarding education and the economy in Liberia, the academic landscape has seen a significant increase in graduates over the past two decades, yet the job market faces challenges in absorbing these graduates.
Academic Graduation and Higher Education
University Growth: Since 2006, Liberia has produced thousands of university graduates annually. As of 2018, there were 38 government-recognized universities and colleges, along with 14 community colleges (as of 2010).
University of Liberia (UL): The country’s premier public institution includes specialized colleges such as the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, A. M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, and the William R. Tolbert College of Agriculture and Forestry.
Education Disparities: While education is free for primary students in government schools, many schools lack adequate facilities. Rural areas often suffer from a lack of equal educational opportunities, with a shortage of qualified teachers compared to urban areas.
Vocational Training: Apprenticeships, particularly in trades like tailoring, are common, providing hands-on experience and a direct path to employment.
Higher Education
Historically, from 1862 to the outbreak of the war in the 1980s, higher education in the country centered on:
Liberia College, the precursor to the University of Liberia
Cuttington Collegiate College, the precursor to Cuttington University College
Harper Technical College (founded in 1971), renamed William V. S. Tubman College of Technology in 1978, now known as Tubman University.
Currently higher education in Liberia is decentralized.
Higher education is provided by a number of public and private universities. The University of Liberia is the country’s largest and oldest university. Located in Monrovia, the university opened in 1862 and today has six colleges, including a medical school and the nation’s only law school, the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.
In 2009, Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County became the second public university in Liberia. Cuttington University, established by the Episcopal Church of the USA in 1889 in Suakoko, Bong County, is the nation’s oldest private university. Since 2006, the government has also opened community colleges in Buchanan, Sanniquellie, Voinjama, and many other County headquarters.
In addition to the above-named colleges, there also exist:
Starz University
African Methodist Episcopal University
Don Bosco Technical College
United Methodist University (UMU)
African Methodist Episcopal Zion University (AMEZU)
African Bible College University (ABCU)
Liberia International Christian College (LICC)
Nimba County University College (NCUC)
These universities are greatly contributing to the higher education needs in Liberia. They have produced students that are working with international organizations such as the UN, international banking institutions, government, and other local institutions.
Some are pursuing graduate degrees abroad due to limited graduate programs in the country. For example, while there is an undergraduate program in sociology at all of these universities, there is no graduate program for students wanting to pursue a graduate degree in sociology.
The following are disciplines in which undergraduate degrees are being offered: Sociology, geology, political science, history, biology, chemistry, economics. Accounting, management, education, journalism, civil engineering, physics, mathematics, English, geography, social work, nursing, architectural engineering, rural development, laboratory technology, theology, general science, and agriculture.
Some of these disciplines are only being offered at a single university. For example, Social Work is only being offered as a degree at the United Methodist University (UMU) and Mother Pattern College of Health Sciences, which falls under Don Bosco Polytechnic.
The University of Liberia offers graduate degrees in education, regional planning, international relations, and public administration, while Cuttington University is offering graduate degrees in education, Public Health, Business administration, Management, Public administration, and nursing education. The additional colleges do not have no graduate programs.
Liberia has three public Rural Teacher Training Institutes in Webbo, Kakata, and Zorzor.
The economy of Liberia is extremely underdeveloped, with only $3.222 billion by gross domestic product as of 2019, largely due to the First (1989–1996) and Second Liberian Civil War (1999–2003). Liberia itself is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, according to the United Nations.
Challenges face by graduates in Liberia
Based on available reports and analyses, graduates in Liberia face significant challenges in securing employment, often characterized by high rates of unemployment, underemployment, and a mismatch between skills acquired in school and those demanded by the labor market.
Challenges for Graduates in Liberia:
Skills Mismatch: Companies in sectors like agriculture, mining, and energy often struggle to find skilled local workers, resulting in a reliance on expatriate staff while qualified Liberians remain unemployed.
Lack of Technical and Vocational Skills: The destruction of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) facilities during civil conflicts has left a gap in practical skills, with a need for better alignment between education and employer needs.
High Youth Unemployment: Youth (defined as ages 15–35) experience disproportionately high levels of unemployment, with many relying on the informal sector.
Deficit in “Soft” Skills: Despite being academically bright, many high school graduates face challenges with effective communication, articulation, and a significant lack of digital literacy (only 14% fully literate in some reports).
Limited Career Counseling: A notable absence of career guidance in institutions contributes to students’ inability to clearly define their career paths, leading to poor choices and difficulties in the job market.
Infrastructure Issues: Unstable electricity and water supply create a difficult environment for businesses, further hindering job creation.
Educational and Structural Bottlenecks:
Educational Quality: The system faces issues with centralization, instructional inefficiency, and lack of materials, particularly in rural areas.
Corruption and Standards: Reports highlight challenges with unethical practices, such as “selling grades for sex,” and a need for better standardization to ensure a diploma holds the same value across the country.
Lack of Research Culture: University education in Liberia is often hindered by limited funding and research facilities, focusing mainly on teaching rather than practical, innovative skills.
Proposed Solutions
Two-Track System: Experts recommend creating a two-track system where vocational/STEM skills are valued equally with traditional university degrees.
Improved Training: Increased investment in training teachers and providing technical and vocational education is crucial.
Mentorship Programs: Initiatives like the Scholars Mentorship Program are being launched to guide students toward better career choices and improve employability.
While some improvements are being made through TVET schools and training academies (e.g., ArcelorMittal Training Academy), the gap between graduation and employment remains a significant hurdle.
University of Liberia (UL) Holds 105th Commencement Convocation
UL Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chairperson of the 105th Convocation Committee, Dr. Agnes Reeves Taylor announced the release of the calendar of events.
More than 1,500 students who have met all academic and financial requirements will be conferred degrees in various disciplines, following clearance by the Faculty Senate, the highest decision-making body on academic affairs at UL.
Event Schedule:
February, 17, 2026, 1:00 P.M.: Research Symposium by the College of Gender & Interdisciplinary Research.
February 19, 2026, 10:00 A.M.: Faculty Scholastic Recognition & Honoring Program.
February 20, 2026, 11:00 A.M.: UL Alumni Homecoming Program.
February 20, 2026, 5:00 P.M.: Graduating Class Night.
February 21, 2026,: University of Liberia Staff Association Day.
February 23, 2026: Oaths and Honors by the College of Health Sciences.
February 28, 2026: UL Faculty Association Day.
The Undergraduate Combined Commencement Convocation will occur on Wednesday February 25, 2026, followed by the Graduate and Professional Schools Commencement on Friday, February 27, 2026.
All of the activities will be held on the UL Fendall Campus, except for the Alumni Program and Graduating Class Night which will be held on the UL Capitol Hill Campus.
High-profile local and international dignitaries will be received in attendance as guests of the UL.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. David Norris, Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana, UB will deliver the keynote address for the Graduate and Professional Schools Commencement Convocation on February 27, 2026, on the Fendall Campus of the University.
The name of the 105th graduating class is ‘The class of Triumph.’
Conclusion
Addressing the high Rate of Unemployment in Liberia Â
To address the high rate of graduate unemployment in Liberia, the government is expected to focus on a combination of private sector stimulation, educational reform, and direct public employment initiatives. Key efforts focus on moving from an economy reliant on raw resources to one that adds value through labor-intensive industries.
Based on recent economic updates and proposed strategies, here are the core efforts the Liberian government should make:
- Private Sector Growth and Support
Enabling Business Environment: Simplify business registration and licensing processes to encourage startups, particularly for young entrepreneurs.
Access to Finance: Establish and support initiatives like the Youth Entrepreneurship and Investment Bank (launched in 2025) to provide funding for youth-led businesses, aiming to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Strengthening Local Content: Enforce policies that require foreign and multinational companies to hire local workers and prioritize Liberian-owned businesses, including in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.
- Education Reform and Skills Training
Aligning Education with Market Needs: Transform the education system to focus on skills required in the modern job market, rather than just academic credentials, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
Strengthening TVET: Invest heavily in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates have practical skills in areas like agriculture, craftsmanship, and technology.
Internships and Apprenticeships: Expand programs like the National Youth Cadet Programme and the President’s Young Professionals Programme (PYPP) to provide on-the-job experience for recent graduates.
- Direct Public Employment and Infrastructure
Labor-Intensive Public Works: Invest in public infrastructure projects (roads, schools, health centers) that create immediate employment opportunities for local workers.
Agricultural Development: Promote large-scale farming and agro-processing to create jobs and enhance food security, which is a major pillar of the economic strategy.
Digital Transformation: Launch initiatives like the Liberia Youth Digital Transformation Initiative (LYDTI) to equip young people with digital skills and improve their employability in the technology sector.
- Policy and Institutional Support
National Employment Strategy: Implement a coordinated National Employment Acceleration Strategy focused on agriculture, public works, and private sector support.
Regional Collaboration: Work with regional partners, such as the Mano River Union, to develop collaborative solutions to unemployment.
Gender-Focused Interventions: Address the gender gap in employment by providing tailored support and entrepreneurship training for young women.
These efforts aim to address the systemic challenges preventing graduates from securing employment by bridging the gap between education and industry needs.
Aaron Patrick Mansaray is a Lecturer at the department of English and Languages. Amos C. Sawyer college of social sciences and humanities University of Liberia. He was born on the First of May 1986. Aaron has taught at the University of Liberia for over a decade and also serving as an adjunct lecturer in the department of languages at the United Methodist University Ashmun Street Monrovia Liberia. He holds a Master Degree in descriptive and applied Linguistics.
He writes poems, prose, and drama.
Email: patmaaron85@gmail.com  Contact: +231 770-136-164/ 888-029-880
