Monrovia – The government of Liberia on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, halted its highly publicized $25 million scholarship program for 250 students to study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in the United States, following widespread concerns about its legitimacy and allegations of fraud.
The program, which was launched on November 6 by President Joseph Boakai alongside Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, aimed to support students through a non-collateral loan initiative. The initiative was a partnership with Nekotech, a purportedly civic organization claiming to empower African youth with global educational opportunities. However, the program was exposed as a “scam” by activist Martin K. N. Kollie and quickly drew criticism, with former Assistant Minister for Information Services Matthew Nyanplu labeling it a national disgrace.
Nyanplu, in a Facebook post, urged Liberians not to invest in the program, accusing Nekotech of extorting struggling students by demanding unwarranted fees. He alleged that the organization was misleading applicants by claiming to offer a work-study program, which, according to U.S. laws, is federally funded and cannot be guaranteed by private entities.
One applicant, Neowon Suah, revealed that she was added to a group of over 1,000 applicants and was asked to pay multiple fees, including $11.99 for grade conversion and $236 as a “readiness fee.” Suah expressed her doubts, stating, “From the public information I have, this program was supposed to be a government-funded graduate loan. The additional fees raised concerns for me.”
Dr. Princess Okansi, CEO of Nekotech, defended the organization, explaining that the $236 fee covered services such as English proficiency test training, school admissions assistance, visa coaching, and application reviews. She claimed that the fee had been waived for Liberians applying for the spring 2025 intake.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saywhar Nana Gbaa confirmed to VOA Africa that the scholarship program had been halted temporarily. However, during an interview, she clarified that only the recruitment process had been paused, not the program itself. “The influx of applications required us to take time to review and ensure proper evaluation,” she stated.
Nyanplu, who was suspended following his criticism and later resigned, continued to voice his concerns about the program. Speaking to VOA, he accused Nekotech of deceptive practices, including hosting webinars disguised as “prep schools” and offering applicants vouchers worth $2,500. He also shared recordings of these webinars, urging the public to examine the organization’s activities closely.
Beyond the scholarship controversy, Nyanplu criticized systemic inefficiencies in Liberia’s governance framework. He argued that a flawed power structure prioritizes presidential loyalty over competence, leading to a lack of accountability and suppression of dissent. “Governance is public service, not the work of any private individual—not the President, not the Minister,” Nyanplu stated. He highlighted the risks of unchecked power within the inner circle of government and questioned whether senior officials were genuinely free from conflicts of interest.
The suspension of the Nekotech program has generated renewed calls for transparency and accountability in public service. Many on social media are urging the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the program’s operations and the role of officials who promoted it.
The controversy has left many Liberians questioning how such an initiative was launched without proper oversight, raising concerns about governance and the protection of public resources.
Monrovia – The government of Liberia on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, halted its highly publicized $25 million scholarship program for 250 students to study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in the United States, following widespread concerns about its legitimacy and allegations of fraud.
The program, which was launched on November 6 by President Joseph Boakai alongside Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, aimed to support students through a non-collateral loan initiative. The initiative was a partnership with Nekotech, a purportedly civic organization claiming to empower African youth with global educational opportunities. However, the program was exposed as a “scam” by activist Martin K. N. Kollie and quickly drew criticism, with former Assistant Minister for Information Services Matthew Nyanplu labeling it a national disgrace.
Nyanplu, in a Facebook post, urged Liberians not to invest in the program, accusing Nekotech of extorting struggling students by demanding unwarranted fees. He alleged that the organization was misleading applicants by claiming to offer a work-study program, which, according to U.S. laws, is federally funded and cannot be guaranteed by private entities.
One applicant, Neowon Suah, revealed that she was added to a group of over 1,000 applicants and was asked to pay multiple fees, including $11.99 for grade conversion and $236 as a “readiness fee.” Suah expressed her doubts, stating, “From the public information I have, this program was supposed to be a government-funded graduate loan. The additional fees raised concerns for me.”
Dr. Princess Okansi, CEO of Nekotech, defended the organization, explaining that the $236 fee covered services such as English proficiency test training, school admissions assistance, visa coaching, and application reviews. She claimed that the fee had been waived for Liberians applying for the spring 2025 intake.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saywhar Nana Gbaa confirmed to VOA Africa that the scholarship program had been halted temporarily. However, during an interview, she clarified that only the recruitment process had been paused, not the program itself. “The influx of applications required us to take time to review and ensure proper evaluation,” she stated.
Nyanplu, who was suspended following his criticism and later resigned, continued to voice his concerns about the program. Speaking to VOA, he accused Nekotech of deceptive practices, including hosting webinars disguised as “prep schools” and offering applicants vouchers worth $2,500. He also shared recordings of these webinars, urging the public to examine the organization’s activities closely.
Beyond the scholarship controversy, Nyanplu criticized systemic inefficiencies in Liberia’s governance framework. He argued that a flawed power structure prioritizes presidential loyalty over competence, leading to a lack of accountability and suppression of dissent. “Governance is public service, not the work of any private individual—not the President, not the Minister,” Nyanplu stated. He highlighted the risks of unchecked power within the inner circle of government and questioned whether senior officials were genuinely free from conflicts of interest.
The suspension of the Nekotech program has generated renewed calls for transparency and accountability in public service. Many on social media are urging the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the program’s operations and the role of officials who promoted it.
The controversy has left many Liberians questioning how such an initiative was launched without proper oversight, raising concerns about governance and the protection of public resources.
