Following Kool-Investigator Documentary X-ray: Pres. Boakai Calls for Full Overhaul of UL's Structures

Monrovia, Liberia: Liberian President Joseph Boakai has ordered a total renovation of the University of Liberia's (UL) campuses barely two days after a joint documentary launched by Kool TV and the Liberian Investigator uncovered the deplorable state of the nation's premier University.

The recent documentary by the two media institutions highlighted leaking roofs, broken chairs, poorly equipped labs, unsanitary latrines, defaced classrooms and administrative buildings among others.

The in-depth documentary on the state-owned University revealed the challenges students and instructions faced in their daily routine on the campuses of the University of Liberia.

The investigation found that more than 18,700 students of the state-own University are studying in overcrowded laboratories, with over 100 practicing in individual laboratories designed to accommodate at most 25 students.

The report fueled public calls for urgent upgrades of the country's most prestige learning institution.

However, President Boakai on Wednesday, August 5, 2025, in a statement issued by the Executive Mansion, announced immediate action to revamp the all facilities of the University of Liberia including it Capitol Hill, Fendell and Straz-Sinje campuses.

The President expressed concerns over what he termed as the lack of visible progress on infrastructures at the University, saying despite US$6.3 million for projects, development initiatives remain stalled.

“We have made the financial commitment as a government, and the Liberian people expect to see results, but the pace of implementation must reflect the urgency of the situation", he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Liberian leader called for a comprehensive review of the status of the university’s infrastructure rehabilitation program, emphasizing the need to fast-track its implementation ahead of the institution’s upcoming semester.

In an Executive meeting, the President Boakai tasked the Ministry of Public Works and the University of Liberia's Administration to identify the causes of the delay, and find a sustainable work solution.

As part of plans, the University administration presented its phased development proposal, which includes the construction of a new 25-classroom building at the Fendall Campus, modernization of the university’s largest academic building, and rehabilitation works at the Capitol Hill and Sinje campuses.

To fast-track the implementation, the Ministry of Public Works has been tasked by the President to validate project designs, technical priorities and implementation timelines.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has been urged to resolve procurement bottlenecks delaying the start of construction.

The recent meeting also agreed to establish a joint technical team to prepare a cost and phased implementation plan and create a Coordination Committee to oversee the project.

The committee includes the representatives from the Ministries of Public Works, Finance and Development Planning, Education, and State. The University of Liberia administration also serves on the committee.

Notwithstanding, the deplorable condition of the state-owned University has been a long-standing concern that is now gaining national attention under the Boakai-led Unity Party government.

The University of Liberia founded in 1862, is a home to thousands of Liberians as well as foreign residents seeking higher education.