Monrovia, Liberia – September 8, 2025: The University of Liberia Alumni Association in the Americas (ULIBAAA) has issued a passionate plea for urgent, long-term solutions to the worsening crisis at the University of Liberia (UL), warning that continued neglect threatens the nation’s premier institution of higher learning and the future of the country’s youth.
In a hard-hitting statement released Friday, ULIBAAA expressed “grave concern” over what it described as persistent underfunding, frequent leadership changes, faculty unrest, and recurring student violence that have crippled academic progress at the institution.
“For decades, the University of Liberia has endured chronic neglect and underfunding by successive governments,” the statement declared, citing collapsing infrastructure, inadequate research and teaching resources, and the inability to retain qualified faculty.
While acknowledging the government’s recent move to make undergraduate tuition free, ULIBAAA stated that the initiative has exacerbated the university’s financial strain. Without increased subsidies to support the policy, the group noted, the already fragile budget has been overstretched, leading to a decline in the quality of services.
The association pointed to what it called a “destabilizing turnover” in leadership, referencing the appointment of three different presidents in just two years. This constant change, ULIBAAA argued, has bred academic uncertainty, discouraged donor confidence, and stalled institutional development.
ULIBAAA also addressed the wave of violent student protests that have frequently disrupted academic activities. While recognizing the validity of student grievances, the association condemned the destruction of university property and called for dialogue as the only viable path forward.
“The path to a better university is not paved with destruction, but with intellectual engagement, dialogue, and a commitment to scholarly pursuits,” the statement emphasized.
The statement further spotlighted the plight of faculty members, whom ULIBAAA described as the “intellectual and moral backbone” of the institution. It lamented their long-standing neglect and urged the government and university administration to address concerns over unpaid salaries, poor benefits, and unfair working conditions through genuine negotiations and the signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
As part of its call to action, ULIBAAA outlined four immediate steps to resolve the crisis: Develop a Sustainable Funding Plan, Substantially increase and stabilize government support to reverse decades of underinvestment, and properly sustain the tuition-free policy.
Invest in Infrastructure and Resources. Rehabilitate classrooms, laboratories, and libraries to create an environment conducive to learning and research.
Address Faculty Concerns: Clear outstanding salary arrears, improve benefits, and finalize a fair agreement to stabilize the faculty.
Promote Peaceful Dialogue. Build a culture of constructive engagement and non-violent conflict resolution across the university.
ULIBAAA stressed that the University of Liberia is more than an academic institution it is a vital pillar of national development whose success is crucial to Liberia’s progress.
“Its success is a prerequisite for the nation’s progress,” the group declared, pledging to work alongside the government, university administration, faculty, students, and development partners to restore the University of Liberia as “a center of intellectual excellence and a beacon of hope for future generations.”
The University of Liberia Alumni Association in the Americas is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that supports UL through advocacy, fundraising, and strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening academic and social conditions at the institution.
The statement was jointly signed by Dr. Fatima Greaves Kwekwe, President of ULIBAAA, and Wilhelmina Wilson, Chair of the Board.
