The University of Liberia (UL) has informed the Liberian Senate that it urgently needs $550,000 to address immediate concerns necessary for its reopening. During a public hearing held by the Senate Committee on Education, chaired by Senator Nathaniel McGill of Margibi County, the University's leadership, including President Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan and the university comptroller, emphasized the critical need for the requested amount.
According to them, the funds are essential to resolve three major issues that must be addressed before classes can resume. The UL administration explained that the government is expected to provide this funding to respond to demands raised by the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA), which have led to the suspension of academic activities. Dr. Maparyan stated that in order for classes to resume by Monday, September 8, 2025, several urgent actions must be taken.
These include payment of back pay for adjunct professors, compensation for teaching overloads in 2025, renovation of campus bathroom facilities, and payment for vacation school recently conducted by the University. Additionally, the University is seeking funding to provide medical insurance coverage for faculty members. An estimated $500,000 is needed to meet these demands, ensure faculty return to classrooms, and carry out basic infrastructure improvements, Dr. Maparyan noted. Meanwhile, the University's comptroller confirmed during the hearing that UL did not receive the $1 million reportedly allocated for renovations in the 2024 national budget.
The UL Comptroller, Togar Gibson during the Senate’s Committee on Education Public hearing stated: “In 2024, the Ministry of Finance utilized a budget line from the University of Liberia to pay adjunct professors, following a directive from President Boakai during the investiture of Dr. Layli Maparyan. As a result, this payment has now become a financial liability for the University.” This may prompt the Senate Committee on Education to summon Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Ngafuan if the requested funds are not provided soon.
Senators argue that the financial obligations to the University were already included in the 2025 national budget and should have been addressed. The University has recently faced growing tensions, particularly with the faculty association, which has boycotted classes over unresolved issues. In a public statement, ULFA announced it would not return to teaching unless several long-standing concerns were met. While President Maparyan acknowledged the faculty's grievances and said efforts are being made to resolve them, she also stressed the urgent need to address critical issues before academic activities can resume across UL campuses.
Author: Zac T. Sherman
