Liberia: UL Faculty, Staff Refuse to Return, Question U.S.$4 Million No-Bid Renovation Contract

What the report says

Faculty and staff at the University of Liberia say they will remain off the job until the administration signs a written agreement on their demands, according to a report published by The Liberian Investigator and distributed by AllAfrica. The group’s association said the work stoppage, which began on July 17 and was reaffirmed by a general assembly vote on Aug. 20, is still in effect. It said submitting a draft memorandum is not enough to settle the dispute.

The association also raised concerns about a reported US$4 million renovation contract tied to DELTA Construction Company. It said the university sought a single-source procurement arrangement and that the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission issued a no-objection, but that neither a scope of work nor fuller details had been shared with faculty and staff. The statement also said renovation activity appears to be under way on some campuses, while other sites remain unclear.

Beyond the contract issue, the association listed a wide set of grievances involving benefits, retirement arrangements, salary disparities, pay arrears, employment status, adjunct pay, transportation, staffing, and facilities. It also said it wants dismissed employees reinstated and has maintained no-confidence votes against two senior administrators.

The standoff is affecting the university’s calendar. In remarks cited by the report, University of Liberia President Layli Maparyan said on Oct. 21 that the 2026 graduation had been postponed and that the administration was still reviewing a draft agreement with staff groups and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.