SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County — Nimba County University’s Dean of Admissions, Records and Registration, Allen W. Zorh, has accused lawmakers from the county of failing to settle financial obligations for students they sponsor, leaving the institution struggling to meet its operating needs.
By Franklin Doloquee
Zorh said some lawmakers continue to submit lists of students for admission under scholarship arrangements without paying the associated fees.
Although he did not disclose the amount owed, sources at the university told FrontPage Africa that outstanding payments exceeded L$8 million over more than two years.
The sources alleged that some lawmakers continue to publicize their scholarship support despite the unpaid balances. The allegations come as University President Dr. Jesse Noah Mongrue called for increased government funding to address overcrowded classrooms, limited facilities and inadequate infrastructure.
Lawmakers Respond to Allegations
Speaking to FrontPage Africa Correspondent, District Six Representative Dorwon Twain Gleekia confirmed that he sponsors more than 30 students at the university.
His response, however, did not clarify whether his office had outstanding payments. He told this outlet that he is eating and does not want to comment yet.
Victor Sayon, head of communications in the office of Representative Taa Wongbey of District Number 9, denied that the office owed the university. “We do not owe Nimba University,” Sayon said. He added that any outstanding obligation linked to the arrangement would be the responsibility of the county administration.
District Three Representative Nehker Gaye objected to the correspondent’s inquiry before saying his media office would contact the university directly. Other lawmakers could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts. They include Senator Samuel Kogar, who is currently in the United States, Senator Nya D. Twayen Jr., District One Representative Samuel Brown, District Two Representative Nya Garsaye Flomo Sr.,
Representative Ernest M. Manseah Sr., District Eight Representative Saye Sylvester Mianah, Chairman of the county legislative caucus and District Seven Representative Musa Bility.
District Number two Representative Nya Garsaye Flomo’s phone was switched off, while calls to several of the other lawmakers and their offices went unanswered.
Superintendent Reports Payments to Lawmakers
Separately, Nimba County Superintendent Kou Meapeah Gono recently disclosed that the county’s nine representatives and two senators had each received US$10,000 during the 2024–2025 Period.
According to Supt. Gono, the payments were intended to support lawmakers’ visits to county administration projects across Nimba’s 19 administrative districts. She said the funding came through the county’s nine-member council, which oversees decisions on the use of county social development funds from ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Operations.
Supt. Gono added that Representatives Musa Bility and Taa Wongbey along with Senator Samuel Kogar had not received a second US$10,000 payment.
Her disclosure did not establish a connection between those payments and the scholarship obligations alleged by university officials.
University President Describes Infrastructure Emergency
Zorh and Mongrue spoke at the close of a two-day public higher education institutions workshop organized by the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Held under the theme: “Strengthening Higher Education Governance and Quality Assurance Through Leadership, Collaboration and Institutional Standardization,” the workshop brought together institutional leaders and development partners to discuss challenges facing public universities and colleges.
Mongrue said enrollment continues to increase each semester, but the university’s infrastructure has not expanded at the same pace.
“We have limited infrastructure, and we feel like we have an emergency,” he said. “Each semester we get more students, so we need more classrooms, dormitories, and faculty spaces.”
He identified additional classrooms, dormitories, faculty lounges and other learning and living spaces as urgent priorities. Without investment, he warned, the shortage of facilities could undermine the quality of education and students’ experience.
NCHE Raises Concerns About Government Bills
Speaking during the workshop, the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) Executive Director Dr. Cecelia Cassell expressed concern about the bills public universities and colleges submit to the government for students’ enrollment.
She urged institutions to avoid inflating those bills and raised concerns about differences in reported student numbers across public institutions. Participants also discussed growing enrollment, funding constraints and the need for stronger institutional governance and quality assurance.
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