By Archie Boan
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) of Liberia is expected to approve the University of Liberia’s request for an additional five hundred thousand United States dollars (US$500,000) to support its operations.
Speaking on the ELBC Super Morning Show, Minister Augustine Ngafuan disclosed that although the request is likely to be granted early this week, it will be done without legislative approval and will therefore be considered off-budget.
He clarified that this means the expenditure falls outside of the approved national budget.
Minister Ngafuan explained that the University of Liberia had already received 99.9% of its 2024 budgetary allotment, which totals thirty-four million U.S. dollars (US$34 million), contrary to recent reports suggesting otherwise.
He emphasized that any additional funding without full legislative approval is categorized as off-budget spending.
According to the Minister, the university’s 2023 budget stood at US$33 million, while the current year’s allocation increased to US$34 million.
Of this amount, approximately US$32 million is allocated to salaries, with the remaining funds designated for operational expenses.
The university’s current request exceeds its approved budgetary allocation.
Ngafuan also stated that the President of the University misdirected the request by appealing directly to the Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Education, despite the Legislature not being in full session.
The Finance Minister noted that such financial decisions require approval through a full plenary session involving both Houses of the Legislature.
Rece tly, Dr. Layli Maparyan, President of the University of Liberia, appeared before the Senate Committee on Education.
She explained that, in order to address the demands of the University of Liberia Faculty Association and facilitate the reopening of classes, the government must prioritize the payment of back pay for adjunct professors, compensation for 2025 teaching overloads, renovation of campus restroom facilities, provision of medical insurance for faculty members, among other needs.
In light of this, Dr. Maparyan urgently requested an additional US$500,000 to ensure that faculty return to classrooms and to initiate critical infrastructure improvements.
