President Boakai’s decision, announced on Monday, June 24, came following consultations with the university’s Board of Trustees and stakeholders, prompted by demands from the Faculty and Staff Association regarding overdue payments and the resumption of academic activities.

Several student groups at the University of Liberia have vehemently opposed President Joseph Boakai’s recent decision to remove Dr. Julius Nelson from his position as university president and appoint Al-Hassan Conteh as the interim president.

Describing the move as sudden and unacceptable, these groups have called for an immediate reinstatement of Dr. Nelson and the resumption of classes.

In a press conference held subsequently, student representatives including SUP, PROSA, ULSU, and STUDA criticized President Boakai for what they perceive as a decision made without adequate consultation with the student body, which comprises over 20,000 students.

Mary Kerkulah, a prominent student activist, emphasized that the president’s actions disregarded a resolution agreed upon on June 19th between the Board of Trustees and student representatives, which explicitly called for the immediate reopening of classes.

“We believe that as the primary stakeholders of this institution, our voices must be respected,” said Kerkulah, expressing disappointment at what she termed a unilateral decision that undermines the university’s democratic values and the interests of its students.

The student groupings have announced plans for a mass demonstration on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at the Capital Hill Campus, where they intend to petition the national legislature for the reinstatement of Dr. Julius Nelson and the immediate resumption of academic activities.

 “We call upon all students of the University of Liberia to join us in this pivotal moment,” stated the ULSU head, urging solidarity among students to safeguard their educational rights.

The controversy surrounding President Boakai’s decision underscores ongoing tensions between university administration, faculty, and students over governance issues and the management of academic affairs at the state-run institution.