During a recent public hearing of the Senate Committee on Education, held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Professor Dr. Layli Maparyan, President of the University of Liberia (UL), sounded the alarm over a significant funding shortfall that threatens the reopening of the university and the resolution of persistent faculty and infrastructure challenges.
Dr. Maparyan disclosed that the university had requested $41 million for fiscal year 2025 but received only $33 million, of which 90% is earmarked for salaries.
This leaves insufficient funds for campus renovations, academic development, or faculty welfare.
“It will cost $3.9 million to renovate the University of Liberia, and an additional $300,000 is needed for bathroom renovations alone,” Dr. Maparyan told lawmakers. “However, we did not receive the $1 million allocated for renovations in 2024, as confirmed by our comptroller, Togar Gibson.”
To manage the financial strain, the UL administration has initiated cost-cutting measures, including the mandatory retirement of employees over the age of 60, in line with civil service regulations, and the removal of ghost names from the university’s payroll.
Dr. Maparyan noted that while 60 is the official retirement age, some academic staff has continued teaching beyond that threshold.
In a direct appeal to lawmakers, the UL President emphasized that an immediate infusion of $500,000 is required to meet urgent needs and ensure the resumption of classes by Monday, September 8, 2025.
The funding, she said, would address key demands from the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA), including:
Payment of back salaries for adjunct professors
Compensation for 2025 teaching overloads
Renovation of campus bathroom facilities
Provision of medical insurance for faculty members
“These actions are critical to restoring normal academic activities and ensuring our students are not left behind,” Dr. Maparyan stressed.
Nationwide Education Challenges Persist
Also addressing the Senate hearing, Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah reported limited progress in improving public school infrastructure.
Of the 150 schools identified for urgent repairs, only 25 have been renovated so far.
“Renovation efforts will continue throughout the academic year,” Dr. Jallah said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving learning environments despite budgetary limitations.
The hearing underscored broader challenges facing Liberia’s education sector, with systemic financial constraints threatening both primary and tertiary institutions.
Accountability in Question
Adding to concerns, UL Comptroller Togar Gibson confirmed that the university did not receive the $1 million renovation budget reportedly allocated in 2024, despite its inclusion in the national budget.
This revelation has raised serious questions about transparency and accountability in public financial management, especially as universities and schools across the country struggle to meet basic operational needs.
With the academic year fast approaching and unrest brewing among faculty and students, stakeholders are calling for swift government intervention to stabilize the University of Liberia and support broader efforts to strengthen the nation’s education system.
