Students at the University of Liberia (UL) on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, raised alarm over what they described as “deplorable and dangerous sanitary conditions” on the nation’s premier public university campus, warning that persistent filth, uncollected garbage, and clogged drainage systems have turned their learning environment into a serious public health hazard.
From the Capitol Hill campus, students told our reporter that areas once meant for academic pursuits are now dominated by heaps of rotting waste, overflowing trash bins, stagnant water, and foul odors. Many say classrooms and walkways are increasingly surrounded by filth, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies, and rodents.
“We come here to learn, not to get sick. Our health is clearly not a priority. If anything happens to us, who will take responsibility?” said a third-year student from the College of Business and Public Administration, The students complained of frequent malaria cases, skin rashes, and respiratory discomfort, which they linked to the unsanitary conditions.
Others also noted that during rainfall, blocked drains cause wastewater to flood pathways, forcing students to walk through contaminated water to attend lectures. “This is a university, not a dumping site. UL represents the future leadership of this country, yet we are being forced to study in conditions that even basic standards of sanitation reject,” another student said.
The students accused university authorities of neglect, arguing that repeated complaints and appeals yielded little or no action. Meanwhile, they are calling on the UL administration, the Ministry of Education, and relevant health authorities to intervene immediately before the situation escalates into a full-blown health emergency.
Some students have also promised to join other students’ groupings for possible peaceful protests if urgent steps are not taken to clean the campus and establish a sustainable waste management system. As Liberia continues to battle preventable diseases linked to poor sanitation, students say the condition of the University of Liberia sends a troubling message about national priorities. “If the government cannot protect students on its own campus,” one student asked, “how can it protect ordinary citizens?”
