The University of Liberia Students Union (ULSU) has issued a strong ultimatum to the university administration and the government, demanding urgent financial accountability amid growing concerns over mismanagement and salary arrears. The student leadership warned that failure to address these issues will result in mass protests and civil disobedience across all university campuses.
ULSU President J. Blio B. Tingban expressed deep frustration over what he described as systemic financial discrepancies within the university’s payroll system. He accused the Finance Department of failing to ensure transparency in salary distribution, leading to unexplained salary cuts that have negatively impacted faculty members and administrative staff. Calling for the immediate removal of the Finance Department’s leadership, Tingban insisted that only a full audit of the university’s financial operations could restore credibility.
The student union is also demanding accountability for nearly 10 million Liberian dollars owed to ULSU by the university’s Business and Finance Office from 2020 to 2025. Tingban emphasized that the continued withholding of these funds has crippled student union operations, preventing the body from effectively advocating for student welfare and academic improvements. He argued that the mismanagement of financial resources has not only weakened student leadership but also undermined the university’s overall credibility.
The crisis has further strained relations between the university administration and part-time instructors, who have gone unpaid for seven months. ULSU has vowed to stand in solidarity with the Joint Faculty Association, demanding that the university and the Ministry of Finance immediately settle all salary arrears. The student body is also calling for the establishment of a clear financial framework to ensure timely and fair salary disbursements, along with a salary review policy that reflects academic qualifications and professional growth.
While acknowledging President Joseph Boakai’s and University President Dr. Layli Maparyan’s efforts to address the crisis, ULSU insists that more decisive action is needed. The student leadership warned that unless the government provides the necessary financial support, the ongoing crisis could escalate, leading to campus-wide disruptions.
Tingban stressed that education remains the foundation of Liberia’s development, and neglecting the welfare of students and faculty is a disservice to the nation’s future. He urged the university administration and the Ministry of Finance to act swiftly to prevent a total breakdown of academic activities.
