Africa-Press – Liberia. As the University of Liberia advocates for more funds, it has been disclosed here that US$1 million allocated for major renovations disappeared into thin air.
A US$1 million allocation intended for critical renovations at the University of Liberia (UL) has gone missing, UL Comptroller Togar Gibson revealed during a Senate Committee on Education public hearing on Thursday. Gibson told lawmakers that the institution never received the funds allocated in the 2024 national budget.
“In 2024, the Ministry of Finance utilized a budget line from the University of Liberia to pay adjunct professors, following a directive from President Boakai during the investiture of Dr. Layli Maparyan,” Gibson said.
As a result, this payment has now become a financial liability for the University.
The Senate inquiry, attended by officials from the Ministry of Education, the Monrovia Consolidated School System, and the University of Liberia, brought to light the deep financial strain affecting the country’s flagship institution.
UL President, Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan, made a passionate appeal for urgent intervention, warning that without support, the reopening of classes, scheduled for Monday, September 8, 2025, could be delayed.
To address the demands of the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA) and facilitate the reopening of classes, the following actions must be taken immediately,” Dr. Maparyan said.
She outlined three urgent priorities: payment of back pay for adjunct professors, compensation for 2025 teaching overloads, renovation of campus bathroom facilities, and provision of medical insurance coverage for faculty members.
“An estimated $500,000 is required to meet these urgent needs, ensure faculty return to classrooms, and initiate the necessary infrastructure improvements,” she emphasized. The university is now formally requesting that amount to jumpstart the academic year.
Dr. Maparyan also highlighted a wider funding gap impacting university operations. She revealed that while the university requested $41 million for the fiscal year, it received only $33 million, 90% of which has already been allocated for salaries.
“It will cost US$3.9 million to renovate the University of Liberia,” she proposed. To mitigate the financial shortfall, she outlined several cost-cutting measures.
“We will implement reductions by retiring those who have reached the age limit, as the retirement age in Liberia is 60. However, in academia, individuals can continue to teach beyond this age. We will also remove ghost names,” she said.
As the academic year hangs in the balance, UL’s administration and lawmakers are under pressure to resolve a funding crisis that threatens the education of thousands of Liberian students.
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