Bong County, Liberia — The Rural Universities and Colleges Faculty Association of Liberia (RUCFAL) has declared an indefinite industrial strike in protest of the Government of Liberia’s allegedly continued failure to address longstanding issues surrounding salary and benefit disparities for faculty members at rural public institutions.
The announcement was made during a press conference on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, held at Bong County Technical College, where RUCFAL Secretary General Phillip N. Kwahmie delivered a statement on behalf of the association.
Representing faculty from nine rural institutions—including Bomi County Community College, Bong County Technical College, Grand Bassa University, Grand Gedeh University College, Grand Kru Community College, Lofa County University, Margibi University, Nimba University, and Sinoe County Community College—RUCFAL expressed deep frustration over the government’s inaction.
“Since February 12, 2025, we have petitioned His Excellency President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., and communicated with the Legislature and key government officials,” Kwahmie said. “Yet no action has been taken to resolve the salary and benefit disparities, relocation and research allowances comparable to those at the University of Liberia and William V.S. Tubman University.”
The association is also calling for the passage of a bill currently before the House of Representatives that would standardize salaries and benefits across all public universities and colleges in Liberia.
Despite months of what RUCFAL described as “peaceful engagement and media publications,” the association said the government’s silence has forced its hand.
“This strike is a demand for fairness, equity, and justice,” Kwahmie stated. “No faculty member is allowed to go on any of the campuses or engage in any academic work until further notice from RUCFAL.”
The strike, which is set to continue indefinitely, threatens to halt academic activities at rural institutions unless the government addresses the association’s demands.
RUCFAL, through its release, called on the Liberian public to support its advocacy for equity and dignity in the higher education sector.
As the public watches this action from RUCFAL, the hope of rural Universities and Colleges’ students remains hanging in the balance due to the already-shortened number of rural Universities’ lectures.
