Two private institutions among dozen others recently closed by the Government of Liberia for poor standards are still operating here in defiance.
By: Emmanuel Wise Jipoh
Monrovia, Liberia; July 10, 2025 – The SABEGNA School of Travel and Tourism and the African International Institute of Science and Technology (AIIST), both in Monrovia, are definitely conducting regular classes despite the recent suspension of their licenses by the National Commission on Higher Education for failing to meet regulatory standards.
SABEGNA School is situated on Gurley Street, while African International Institute of Science and Technology operates on Benson Street.
Both tertiary institutions are listed in categories C & D among 57 tertiary institutions, colleges and universities red flagged by the Commission on Higher Education.
The Commission, through its Director General, Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor, had reported academic fraud at the affected institutions after a nationwide assessment of post-secondary institutions that are below academic and operational standards.
Dr. Wonkeryor announced the suspension and immediate shutdown, following evaluation that uncovered widespread deficiencies across Liberia’s higher education sector.
He identified and listed at least 31 unaccredited schools found to be operating illegally across the country, which fell below regulatory standards. Of these, 22 were immediately shut down, and their operational licenses were suspended.
The Commission’s axe also fell on 57 universities and colleges with similar poor standards.
De. Wonkeryor said the Commission’s action is part of efforts to ensure compliance with basic academic and operational standards across all post-secondary institutions.
However, two weeks after the closure of these institutions for breaching educational policies, The New Dawn has established that SABEGNA School of Travel and Tourism and the African International Institute of Science and Technology (AIIST) are among the violators that have deliberately failed to heed the notice, as their doors remained open.
They are still conducting normal academic activities, including administering exams, despite being formally suspended and closed by the state.
When contacted, both SABEGNA and AIIST argued that the decisions or actions by the National Commission on Higher Education were misplaced, describing them as a form of political gameplay.
AIIST Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kemoh Sekou Konneh defended his institution, stating that it is not in violation and questioned the actions taken by the Commission.
“We surprisingly saw our institution’s name listed, and we are in compliance, not in violation, so the NCHE is misplaced, and they must be credible”, he argued.
Konneh clarified that AIIST is not offering a degree program, but an assistant program, and is not under the supervision of the Higher Education. Still, rather the Ministry of Education (MOE), which is responsible for regulating them, maintaining that they are fully licensed by the Ministry.
“We are not given degrees; we do an assistant program, and not under the NCHE, so they should evaluate well.”
Meanwhile, the African International Institute of Science and Technology (AIIST) is listed as number 16 on the list of suspended institutions. At the same time, the Sabegna School of Travel and Tourism, ranked Category D, is listed at number 12. Editing by Jonathan Browne
