The University of Liberia (UL) is facing a severe financial crisis that threatens to derail the start of the 2025 academic year, scheduled for September 8th. This crisis has been brought to light during a Senate Committee on Education public hearing, revealing not only a significant budget shortfall but also the alarming disappearance of US$1 million allocated for crucial renovations. The missing funds, earmarked in the 2024 national budget, were reportedly diverted by the Ministry of Finance to pay adjunct professors at the behest of President Boakai. This diversion of funds has created a significant financial liability for the university, further exacerbating its existing budgetary constraints.
UL President, Dr. Layli Maparyan, painted a stark picture of the university’s financial predicament, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to avert a delay in the reopening of classes. She outlined several immediate priorities, including the payment of back pay and teaching overloads for adjunct professors, renovation of dilapidated bathroom facilities, and the provision of medical insurance for faculty members. These urgent needs, estimated to cost US$500,000, are critical for ensuring the return of faculty to classrooms and the commencement of necessary infrastructure improvements. The university has formally requested this amount to jumpstart the academic year.
Beyond the immediate crisis, Dr. Maparyan also highlighted a broader funding gap. While the university requested US$41 million for the fiscal year, it received only US$33 million, a significant shortfall that severely restricts its operational capacity. Furthermore, 90% of the allocated budget is already earmarked for salaries, leaving very little for essential maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and other vital operating expenses. The university president proposed a comprehensive renovation plan for the entire campus, estimated to cost US$3.9 million, a figure that underscores the extent of the infrastructural challenges facing the institution.
In response to the financial constraints, Dr. Maparyan outlined cost-cutting measures to mitigate the shortfall and ensure the long-term sustainability of the university. These measures include adhering to the mandatory retirement age of 60 for university staff, although acknowledging the practice in academia of allowing continued teaching beyond this age. Additionally, she pledged to eliminate “ghost names” from the payroll, suggesting the existence of fraudulent salary payments, further highlighting the mismanagement of funds within the institution. These measures, while necessary, may not be sufficient to address the significant financial gap facing the university.
The revelation of the missing US$1 million raises serious questions about financial accountability and transparency within the government’s handling of public funds. The fact that these funds, specifically designated for renovations, were diverted without the university’s knowledge or consent points to a concerning lack of oversight and communication. This incident underscores the need for greater scrutiny of budgetary allocations and expenditures to ensure that public funds are used effectively and for their intended purpose. The Senate Committee on Education must thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing funds and hold those responsible accountable.
The current funding crisis at the University of Liberia has far-reaching implications for the future of higher education in the country. A delay in the academic year would disrupt the education of thousands of Liberian students, hindering their academic progress and potentially impacting their future prospects. The dilapidated state of the university’s infrastructure, particularly the inadequate bathroom facilities, poses serious health and safety risks for students and faculty alike. Without adequate funding and a commitment to transparent financial management, the University of Liberia risks further decline, jeopardizing its ability to fulfill its mandate of providing quality education and contributing to the development of Liberia. The Senate, the Ministry of Education, and the university administration must work collaboratively to find a sustainable solution to this crisis and ensure that the university receives the necessary resources to operate effectively and provide a conducive learning environment for its students.
