Monrovia – The William R. Tolbert Baptist University (WRTBU) has opened its doors for the academic year  2025/2026, positioning itself as a game-changer in Liberia’s higher education landscape.

By  Jaheim T. Tumu-jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com 

The school, which is currently in progress, will close this month and resume in October for academic 2025/2026.

Established in 2022, WRTBU aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and national development needs, offering programs designed to equip students with technical, practical, and character-driven education.

The Baptist University currently hosts three colleges—the College of Business Management and Professional Studies, the College of Agriculture and Forestry, and the College of Math, Science, and Technology—with plans to expand to seven colleges in the coming years.

An academy of lecture series will complement the university’s offerings, promoting professional excellence and certifying graduates for leadership in key national sectors.

According to WRTBU’s website, the rationale behind academic structure stems from two critical factors: national need and practical, character-focused education. Officials say programs are designed not only to teach theoretical knowledge but also to provide hands-on skills that Liberia urgently requires.

The College of Business Management and Professional Studies emphasizes entrepreneurship as a cornerstone. Students will pursue four-year degrees in Entrepreneurship, Port Management, International Relations, Farm Management, and Mining Management.

 “Liberians will be trained to take over their economy,” the university said, highlighting programs that cover business creation, logistics, retail, wholesale, and resource management. The college’s goal is to instill leadership and foster self-education in every graduate.

The College of Agriculture and Forestry is guided by a philosophy of self-reliance: “Students will be trained to ensure that we eat what we grow and grow what we eat.” With programs in Agronomy, Animal Science, and Forestry, the college aims to reverse Liberia’s dependence on imported goods by equipping students to manage sustainable crop production, animal husbandry, and forest conservation.

The College of Math, Science, and Technology places innovation at its core. Students will be trained in Cybernetics, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computer Engineering. The curriculum emphasizes modern technological operations alongside coding and practical IT skills, preparing graduates to drive Liberia’s technological advancement.

WRTBU’s mission extends beyond academic instruction. Each degree program is described as “academic practical specific,” designed to produce professionals capable of contributing directly to Liberia’s economic growth, technological development, and national self-sufficiency.

University officials have made clear that the institution seeks to cultivate leaders who not only excel in their careers but also possess the character and vision necessary for nation-building. “Our objective is to develop sound leadership in our graduates and instill in them the importance of education as a foundation for self-development and national progress,” according to the WRTBU website.

William R. Tolbert Baptist University’s ambitious curriculum and hands-on approach promises to be more than a center of learning—it aims to become a hub for Liberia’s future innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

MONROVIA – Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., has lauded the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention for the establishment of the William R. Tolbert Baptist University, which he said will complement, Liberia’s educational sector.

Minister Kemayah stressed that education is key to nation building adding “the need for education in Liberia cannot be overly emphasize”.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Dean of the Cabinet made the remarks on Friday, October 27, 2023, when members of the WRTBU, paid a courtesy call on him at his Ministry of Foreign Affairs office, on the Capitol Hill.

Foreign Minister Kemayah also used the occasion to reiterate the unwavering commitment of President George Manneh Weah to support the efforts of the Baptist Mission aimed at impacting the educational sector in the country.   

As part of its efforts to further enhance the university’s facilities, the President of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBMEC), Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Reeves, Jr., along with other prominent Baptists paid a courtesy visit on Foreign Minister Kemayah in order to brief him on activities of the University.

The construction of the university is being supervised by Dr. Linda Moseki, a renowned Engineer from Botswana, who has designed and supervised the construction of several universities on the African continent. 

Dr. Moseki is supported by ASARPI, the company hired to construct the university, through a Memorandum of Understanding.

The new Baptist University will cover a total of 250 acres of land, out of the over 1,000 acres of land owned by the LBMEC on the Ricks Campus. The construction will take place in two phases; with the first phase involving the development of 125 acres situated North-West of the existing Ricks Campus.

The remaining 125 acres will be utilized for the WRTBU farm in the second phase, according to the release.

The new facility will feature an administrative section, the Senate Quarters, a chapel, a library, and dormitories for both men and women. The university aims to accommodate 500 female and 600 male students.

When constructed, the various colleges within the university will have dedicated deans and professors, the release added.

Dr. Arnold G. Hill, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, revealed that Dr. Moseki is currently engaging in consultations with relevant government sectors to obtain the necessary approvals and regulations for the construction of the new university.