In a dramatic intervention that has reshaped the trajectory of Liberia’s premier public university, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., acting in his statutory role as Visitor to the University of Liberia (UL), has brokered a landmark agreement to end weeks of bitter disputes and restore calm to the institution.
The President devoted an entire Saturday to marathon consultations with the University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association (ULFASA), the University Administration, and the Board of Trustees. The talks, held amid mounting tensions over stalled academic operations, produced a sweeping consensus that promises to resolve grievances, rebuild trust, and ensure the orderly resumption of classes.
Boakai urged all parties to put students first and elevate the long-term stability of the university above entrenched differences. He warned that confrontation, ultimatums, and threats must yield to constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and institutional cooperation.
“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,” Boakai declared, striking a tone of urgency and reconciliation.
The agreement addressed several flashpoints that had fueled unrest: Retirement Benefits: The Government, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, will immediately remit US$2.4 million to the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) to enroll eligible employees, salary Arrears: Forty percent of outstanding salaries owed to beneficiaries will be factored into the 2027 National Budget, infrastructure Rehabilitation: Renovation of existing facilities will take precedence over new construction.
The Ministry of Public Works will spearhead the program, with clear timelines and weekly progress reports to the President, and learning Conditions: 6,000 classroom chairs have already been secured, with procurement underway for an additional 14,000 to ease overcrowding and improve learning environments.
Both the Faculty and Staff Association and the University Administration agreed to withdraw inflammatory statements that had escalated tensions, recommitting to respectful and sustained engagement.
To prevent delays and ensure transparency, a special monitoring mechanism will be established. It will include representatives from the University Administration, faculty, the Board of Trustees, and senior government officials, tasked with providing weekly updates directly to the President.
Boakai described the consultations as “productive” and emphasized that the agreement must now be translated into concrete action. He called on all stakeholders—administration, trustees, faculty, staff, students, and government institutions—to work in good faith and uphold the authority of the Board of Trustees.
The President praised the flexibility shown by all parties, describing the outcome as a vital step toward restoring stability and normalcy at UL, his alma mater.
The deliberations drew a formidable roster of leaders: Faculty and Staff Association President Professor Alahaji Morris Dukuly; UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan and Vice President Dr. Lester Z. Tenny; Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa; Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald N. Tweh; Local Government Minister Francis Sakilah Nyumalin; Education Minister Dr. Jarso Malley Jalleh; Senior Presidential Advisor Dr. Augustine Konneh; Presidential Legal Advisor Bushuben Keita; Cabinet Director Nathaniel T. Kwabo; and Deputy Minister of State for Public Affairs Anthony V. Kesselly.
The agreement marks a turning point for Liberia’s higher education sector, which has been rocked by strikes and governance disputes. Analysts say Boakai’s intervention underscores the urgency of protecting students from the fallout of institutional discord while reinforcing the government’s commitment to academic stability.
With the deal sealed, the Government expects all stakeholders to channel their energy into implementing reforms and ensuring the orderly resumption of academic and administrative activities. For thousands of Liberian students, the promise is clear: a stable learning environment, free from the turbulence of institutional wrangling.
