The National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) has officially broken ground for its new $3.5 million headquarters, marking a historic milestone in the advancement of higher education in Liberia.
Speaking on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., Dr. Augustine Konneh, Senior Advisor to the President, conveyed the government’s strong commitment to strengthening higher education.
“As we celebrate this groundbreaking, the government pledges continued support for the NCHE through budgetary allocation. We must invest in our education system and empower the NCHE to effectively regulate and monitor higher education institutions,” he emphasized.
Dr. Konneh concluded by encouraging unity in building a robust education system: “Let us work together to produce skilled, innovative, and patriotic graduates who will be instrumental in driving Liberia’s socio-economic development.”
On behalf of President Boakai, Dr. Konneh formally dedicated the groundbreaking ceremony, invoking blessings in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor, Executive Director of the NCHE, welcomed guests to what he described as a memorable and transformative occasion.
“This is a day to remember forever,” Dr. Wonkeryor declared. Since its establishment in 1989, the NCHE has operated out of rented facilities. “When I assumed office in 2021, the condition of the Director General’s office was deplorable and unfit for a national institution. It was no different from a pigsty,” he lamented.
A turning point came after a visit to the Ghana Tertiary Commission (GTEC), which highlighted the dire need for improvement. This realization sparked a vision to secure land and build a modern headquarters.
Dr. Wonkeryor expressed deep appreciation to former University of Liberia President Rev. Dr. Julius Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., for generously allocating two acres of land for the project. He also thanked current UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan for continuing that support.
Thanks to the efforts of the Honorable Senate Budget Committee, chaired by Senator Prince Kermue Moye, Sr. of Bong County, the Legislature allocated US$700,000 in the 2024/2025 fiscal budget toward the first phase of construction.
The headquarters will include: A three-story building, A modern conference room, administrative offices, and Three guesthouses. The total project is estimated to cost US$3.5 million, with completion targeted for 2028.
Dr. Wonkeryor also extended gratitude to President Boakai for reappointing him in 2024 to lead the NCHE under the ARREST Agenda, and to Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah and the NCHE Board of Commissioners for their unwavering support.
“We are taking the first step on a journey of a thousand miles,” Dr. Wonkeryor said. “Though the road ahead may be tough, with faith and collaboration, this vision will become a reality.”
He called on all stakeholders, development partners, and Liberians at home and abroad to support the project: “Nobody will build Liberia for us except ourselves.”
He concluded with a quote from Benjamin Franklin: “If you don’t want to be forgotten when you die, either do something worth writing or write something worth reading.”
Dr. Layli Maparyan, President of the University of Liberia, expressed her institution’s honor in hosting the future NCHE Secretariat.
“Bringing the NCHE to the University of Liberia campus is a bold and visionary move,” she stated. “It creates a hub of intellectual and educational power, enabling close collaboration between the flagship university and the regulatory body of higher education.”
She elaborated on the broader vision for the UL’s Fendell Campus:
“A university city, not just a university, a place where knowledge thrives, supported by strong leadership, advanced infrastructure, and a commitment to human development.”
This groundbreaking marks not just the start of a construction project, but a reaffirmation of Liberia’s dedication to excellence in higher education. As echoed in the inspiring words of President Boakai: “Think Liberia, Love Liberia, Build Liberia.”
