By Jeremiah Gayflor
Nimba County Correspondent, Verity News
Frustrated by months of silence and uncertainty, students of PYJ Polytechnic University staged a protest on Friday, August 22, calling for the immediate reopening of the institution, which has remained closed since the death of its founder, the late Senator Prince Yormie Johnson, over seven months ago.
The protest, led by a group of students identifying themselves as the Concerned Students of PYJ Polytechnic University, began near the LPMC area and proceeded to the university’s main campus at LPRC. Demonstrators held placards and chanted slogans as they demanded action from both university officials and national leaders.
The group presented a formal petition to several key figures and institutions, including the Proprietress, the Nimba County Legislative Caucus, the Vice President of Liberia, the Superintendent of Nimba County, the University’s Board of Trustees, and the school administration.
“This university is a beacon of hope for students across Nimba and Liberia,” one student leader declared during the protest. “To allow it to remain closed dishonors the legacy of Senator Prince Y. Johnson and shatters the dreams of thousands of young people.”
Students criticized the university’s Board of Trustees and the Proprietress for what they described as a failure to ensure the continued operation of the school. They say the lack of communication and planning has left students in limbo, with no academic direction or alternatives.
“Many of us cannot afford to attend other institutions outside of Ganta due to the high cost of tuition, transportation, and housing,” another student added. “PYJ Polytechnic was built to give students in Nimba a chance at affordable higher education. Its closure puts that dream at risk.”
Protesters emphasized that the demonstration was peaceful and aimed not at creating disruption but at urging urgent action. “Our protest is not to create chaos,” said a student representative. “It is a peaceful call for action.”
The petition reportedly outlines key student demands, including immediate steps toward reopening the university and mechanisms to prevent future disruptions in its academic calendar. “Our demand is simple but urgent: Reopen PYJ Polytechnic University now,” the petition states.
The demonstration comes amid growing concerns about the state of higher education in rural Liberia, where access to quality institutions remains limited. Many in Nimba County view the reopening of PYJ Polytechnic not just as a matter of education, but as an important step in preserving the late senator’s legacy and supporting youth development in the region.
As of press time, neither the university’s administration nor members of the Board of Trustees had issued an official response to the protest or the students’ petition.
