The University of Liberia’s planned reopening remains in doubt, with UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan telling the public Wednesday that she cannot confirm whether classes will resume on the proposed August 25, 2026 date.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, Dr. Maparyan said outstanding issues involving faculty matters and campus renovations have made it impossible to set a firm date. “If the University of Liberia will open on August 25, 2026, I can’t confirm,” Dr. Maparyan stated. “If people will be in class, I can’t say, because we are still dealing with the faculty and the renovation.”
According to the UL President, the administration is working to complete critical renovations across the Capitol Hill and Fendell campuses. She noted that some facilities are not yet ready to accommodate the thousands of students expected to return.
Dr. Maparyan also cited ongoing discussions with faculty regarding conditions of service and academic preparations. She did not specify which faculty issues were holding up the process, but said resolving them is key to ensuring a smooth reopening. “The priority is to make sure that when our students come back, they meet an environment that is safe, functional, and conducive for learning,” she said.
The uncertainty has sparked frustration among students, parents, and education stakeholders who have been waiting for clarity on the academic calendar for months. Many UL students rely on the university as their primary path to higher education and employment. With no confirmed reopening date, some say they are being forced to delay graduation, job plans, and scholarship opportunities. “We keep hearing new dates and then nothing happens,” said one UL student who attended the briefing. “We just need the administration to be honest with us.”
The University of Liberia, the country’s oldest public institution of higher learning, has faced repeated challenges in recent years, including infrastructure deficits, funding gaps, and enrollment pressures.
Since taking office in January 2025, Dr. Maparyan has emphasized partnerships, fundraising, and innovation as part of her plan to transform UL. She has signed agreements with UNDP, LERC, and international universities to expand programs and infrastructure. However, critics argue that the pace of change has been slow and that basic operational problems continue to affect students.
Dr. Maparyan said the administration will continue to work with the Ministry of Education, faculty leadership, and contractors to resolve the outstanding issues. She promised to provide another update once a clear timeline is established.
