LCM Advances Dialogue to Resolve Rigmarole at Nation’s Highest Institution of Learning

Monrovia – The Centrism Movement has expressed deep concern over the ongoing impasse at the state-run University of Liberia (UL), which has led to the planned commencement of classes for this September being disrupted by the go-slow action of the Faculty Association in response to funding shortages.

Speaking to the matter at a news conference held at the weekend, the Chairperson of the Centrism Movement, Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, said with the UL being recognized as the country’s flagship institution of higher learning and acknowledge, the far-reaching of these disruptions has serious negative implications on thousands of students, their families, and the broader Liberian society.

In light of this situation, the Centrism Movement has advanced means for immediate and constructive dialogue and negotiation between the University Administration and the Faculty Association, noting that this pressing impasse can only be resolved in the best interest of the Liberian nation through genuine engagement, mutual respect, and in the spirit of compromise.

In this vein, Cllr. Gbala has urged all parties to remain calm and act with maturity for the sake of the state and its people.

“We appeal to the University Administration, the Faculty Association, and the student body to exercise tact, calm, and emotional intelligence at this critical juncture. The credibility of our national university and the future of Liberia’s young people depend on a peaceful, responsible resolution of this matter.”

At the same time, the Movement Chair has called on the student community to remain calm, law-abiding, and non-violent as the matter is being addressed.

While their frustration is understandable, Cllr. Gbala maintained that violence or disorderly conduct can only undermine their legitimate cause and jeopardize their safety, as well as the reputation of the University.

“The Centrism Movement stands ready to support any mediation effort that prioritizes the interests of students, respects the concerns of faculty, and upholds the credibility of the University of Liberia as a national beacon of learning and development,” he among other things added.

It can be recalled that the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA) recently initiated a go-slow action in response to what they termed as the administration’s failure to address key concerns affecting staff welfare, salary, and working conditions.

Key among the issues outlined for the go-slow are: sanitary conditions, long-standing faculty promotion issues, salary disparity, social security concerns, problems affecting study leave, and the need for campus renovation.

The move comes on the heel of a July 18, 2025, Constitutional General Assembly, where ULFA mandated its Executive Committee to engage the administration and stakeholders to resolve pressing faculty welfare issues.