Historic Transition: CAN University Becomes LCU Annex I as CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa Retains Its Identity

FESSIBU TOWN, Zorzor District, Lofa County, Liberia — A new chapter has opened in rural higher education following the historic transfer of Change Agent Network University (CAN-U) to Lofa County University (LCU), where it now operates as Lofa County University Annex I.

At the same time, CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa, which serves students from Nursery through Grade 12, will retain its name, uniforms, traditions, and institutional identity while becoming a Demonstration School of Lofa County University.

The transition creates an educational continuum stretching from early childhood education through secondary school and university-level studies, with the potential to strengthen teacher training, research, community development, and access to higher education in rural Liberia.

The transition follows a formal resolution by the Board of Change Agent Network University authorizing the perpetual transfer of CAN-U’s ownership, assets, and management to Lofa County University.

The Board of Trustees of Lofa County University subsequently accepted the request through a resolution dated March 13, 2026.

An assessment team was then constituted by LCU to evaluate the CAN-U campus, including its infrastructure, facilities, assets, and operational capacity.

The process culminated on May 20, 2026, when representatives of the two institutions gathered at the CAN-U campus in Fessibu Town for the formal signing ceremony.

The transfer marked a significant milestone in efforts to expand access to higher education beyond Liberia’s major urban centers.

The original transfer was reported by The Informer Newspaper on May 24, 2026, under the headline, “Eric W. Wowoh, Lofa County University Unite to Transform Rural Higher Education.”

Opportunity Network Liberia Founder and Chief Executive Officer Eric W. Wowoh said the institution was established to give rural Liberians greater access to quality education.

«“We did not build this institution for ourselves. We built it for Liberia.”»

Wowoh emphasized that CAN-U was created for future generations and for Liberian children who should have access to education regardless of whether they are born in Monrovia or rural communities such as Fessibu, Salayea, and Zorzor.

He also stressed that the transfer was not intended to generate financial gain for Opportunity Network Liberia.

«“This turnover does not mean we are walking away.”»

Instead, CAN and ONL are expected to remain partners with Lofa County University, supporting the University’s development blueprint and the continued growth of Annex I and CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa.

LCU Describes the Move as Transformational

President of Lofa County University, Dr. Isaac P. Podah, described the development as a transformational moment for higher education in Liberia.

According to Dr. Podah, many talented young Liberians are unable to pursue higher education not because of a lack of ability or determination, but because educational opportunities are often too far from their communities.

He said establishing a university presence in Fessibu represents more than an expansion of LCU’s physical infrastructure; it is an expansion of opportunity.

The move also supports efforts to decentralize higher education and ensure that rural communities have greater access to academic and professional opportunities.

Education Moves Closer to the People

The initiative has also received support from local leaders.

Yanquoi Dolo described the development as one of the most significant educational initiatives in the district in recent years.

He pointed to the financial challenges students face when traveling to Voinjama for university education, including transportation, accommodation, and other living expenses.

For students with academic potential but limited financial resources, he said, having a university campus closer to home could remove a major barrier to higher education.

«“When education moves closer to the people, development follows.”»

Representative Chiewolo: “Patriotism in Action”

Representative Augustine B. Chiewolo welcomed the transition, describing it as an example of practical leadership and nation-building.

«“What we are witnessing today is true patriotism in action.”»

He urged citizens and stakeholders to protect and support the institution so that future generations can benefit from the investment made in rural education.

CAN-U Becomes LCU Annex I

CAN University was established in Fessibu Town as part of Change Agent Network’s efforts to expand educational opportunities in rural Liberia.

The institution developed academic programs including Education, Business Management, Agriculture, and Theology, with a focus on disciplines considered relevant to community and national development.

Its transfer to Lofa County University therefore goes beyond the handover of buildings and physical assets. It places years of educational investment under a public university structure with the potential to sustain and expand the institution’s original mission.

Annex I Officially Launched

A further milestone came on July 18, 2026, when Lofa County University officially launched its Annex I Campus in Fessibu Town.

The ceremony brought together university officials, government representatives, community leaders, educators, supporters, and other stakeholders.

Minister of Local Government Francis Sakila Nyumalin Sr., who served as guest speaker, pledged 300 bags of cement toward development at Annex I and committed to supporting the renovation of the campus administrative building.

The commitment added momentum to ongoing efforts to prepare the campus for sustainable academic and administrative operations.

Rehabilitation and Technology Upgrades

Since the transfer, Lofa County University has undertaken several rehabilitation initiatives at Annex I.

The work includes the installation of concrete floors in old and new buildings, as well as the provision of computers and printers for administrative offices.

The university has also installed Starlink internet service, aimed at strengthening communication, teaching, learning, research, and administrative coordination between Annex I in Fessibu and the main campus in Voinjama.

Staff Prepared for Annex Operations

Recognizing that infrastructure alone cannot sustain an effective institution, Lofa County University conducted a three-day Orientation and Refresher Workshop from August 6–8, 2026 at Annex I.

The training was organized through the University’s Human Resources Department and focused on university policies, administrative procedures, service delivery, professional ethics, finance, admissions, human resources, academic operations, and institutional coordination.

The exercise was also intended to strengthen collaboration between Annex I and LCU’s main campus in Voinjama.

CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa Retains Its Identity

The transition also incorporates CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa, which provides education from Nursery through Grade 12.

Under the new arrangement, the Academy will function as a Demonstration School, or Garden School, for Lofa County University.

Importantly, the school will retain its name, uniforms, traditions, identity, and other distinguishing features.

The arrangement is designed to connect university-level teacher education with practical classroom experience.

LCU students pursuing education-related programs could gain opportunities for classroom observation, supervised teaching practice, mentorship, educational research, and curriculum development within an operating school environment.

At the same time, CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa will continue serving children and young people from Nursery through Grade 12.

From Nursery to University

The relationship between CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa and LCU Annex I creates the foundation for an integrated educational model extending from early childhood education to university.

For future teachers, the model could provide a direct link between academic theory and classroom practice.

Beyond teacher education, the presence of a university in a rural community could contribute to agriculture, entrepreneurship, technology, research, leadership development, and local economic activity.

For families, bringing educational opportunities closer could also reduce the transportation, accommodation, and other costs associated with sending students to distant communities.

The transfer does not mark the end of Change Agent Network or Opportunity Network Liberia’s involvement.

Rather, their roles are shifting from ownership and direct management toward partnership, institutional development, resource mobilization, collaboration, and support for Lofa County University’s development blueprint.

CAN and ONL will continue working with LCU to support Annex I and CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa.

The partnership brings together LCU’s public university mandate and academic leadership with the experience, community relationships, partnerships, and educational development work of CAN and ONL.

For the donors, churches, organizations, communities, and individuals who contributed to the development of CAN-U and CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa, the transition represents an opportunity to preserve and expand the impact of their investments.

Buildings, equipment, infrastructure, educational resources, volunteer efforts, financial contributions, land, and community support will continue serving Liberian students under the new institutional framework.

The transition therefore carries the legacy of those who believed that quality education should not be limited by geography or economic circumstances.

At its core, the transition is about institutional sustainability.

The long-term value of an educational institution is measured not only by its founders or ownership structure, but by its ability to continue serving students and communities for generations.

For CAN and ONL, transferring CAN-U to Lofa County University while preserving the identity of CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa represents an effort to ensure that the original mission continues beyond the individuals and organizations that started it.

From Vision to Legacy

What began as a vision to bring quality education closer to underserved communities is now entering a new phase.

CAN University is now Lofa County University Annex I.

CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa retains its name, uniforms, traditions, and identity while serving as LCU’s Demonstration School.

And Change Agent Network and Opportunity Network Liberia remain partners in supporting the development of both institutions.

The transition is therefore not simply an ending. It is an evolution—from a privately developed educational initiative into a broader public university framework designed to expand opportunity in rural Liberia.

For Eric W. Wowoh, whose work has been closely associated with the development of the institutions, the journey is perhaps best captured in the words that have characterized his testimony:

«“Oh! It’s Just God!”»

The CAN name and legacy continue through CAN Leadership Academy–Lofa.

The university mission continues through Lofa County University Annex I.

The investments of donors, partners, communities, and supporters continue through the students who will benefit.

And the partnership continues with one larger goal: to ensure that education built through faith, sacrifice, generosity, and community participation continues empowering Liberians for generations to come.