-Students seek swift remedy
By Shallon S. Gonlor / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com*
NIMBA COUNTY — Students at Nimba University are voicing frustration over the disruption of their academic progress as a result of an ongoing strike by the university’s Faculty Association (FA). The strike, now in its fourth day, has brought academic activities to a standstill, leaving students unable to complete coursework or prepare for final exams scheduled for this month.
The FA’s industrial action stems from unresolved grievances, including demands for salary increments, improved working conditions, and the resolution of long-standing administrative issues. The strike has exacerbated existing challenges at the university, such as low faculty salaries, limited budgetary allocations, and inadequate resources.
Students Voice Frustration Over Academic Uncertainty
Students expressed their dismay in interviews, criticizing both the national government and the university administration for failing to address the faculty’s concerns promptly. Many fear the strike could derail their academic timelines, particularly final-year students who are eager to graduate and enter the workforce.
Pauline L. Paul, a public health student, lamented the repeated disruptions to her education. “We’re already spending three to four years to earn a degree. As women, time is not on our side—we’re aging daily. This strike is taking a toll on our lives,” she said. Pauline urged the government to find an amicable solution that prioritizes students’ interests while addressing faculty demands.
Rita Y. Saye, a laboratory science student, highlighted the financial strain the strike has placed on students. “Many of us budget carefully for each semester. If this strike continues, we won’t have the funds to return next semester,” she said. Rita also pointed out that the current semester break, scheduled to begin on February 17, is now in jeopardy, leaving students in limbo.
Financial Hardship and Confusion Among Students
The strike has left many students grappling with financial uncertainty. Some are struggling to afford basic necessities such as transportation, rent, and meals. “It’s not just about classes; it’s about our livelihoods. We need time to go home and raise funds for the next semester,” Rita added. The situation has created confusion, with some students remaining on campus while others have returned home, unsure of when academic activities will resume.
Particial Suah and Able Y.G. Larkpor, both final-year students, expressed sympathy for the lecturers’ demands but emphasized the strike’s adverse impact on their education. “We support the lecturers’ right to better conditions, but the indefinite nature of this strike is deeply concerning,” they said. Particial, a laboratory technician student, and Able, studying secondary education with a focus on history, echoed the sentiment that the strike threatens to prolong their time at the university unnecessarily.
Faculty Demands and Administrative Failures
The strike was triggered by the university administration’s failure to address the FA’s seven-point demands by the January 31, 2025, deadline. In a letter dated January 29, 2025, the FA outlined its grievances, including the need for salary increments, housing and research allowances, repairs to damaged buses used for faculty transportation, and the resolution of administrative issues involving senior staff members.
The FA also called for the regularization of new faculty members currently on supplementary status, many of whom are considering leaving the institution if their concerns are not addressed. The association criticized the university president, Dr. Jessie Noah Mongrue, for prioritizing travel allowances over academic needs, citing the lack of stationery to administer mid-term exams as an example of misplaced priorities.
A Call for Urgent Resolution
Students and faculty alike are urging the government and university administration to act swiftly to resolve the crisis. “We cannot allow sympathy for individuals to supersede the interests of the institution,” the FA stated, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in addressing their concerns.
As the strike continues, the future of thousands of students hangs in the balance. Many fear that prolonged disruptions could discourage enrollment and undermine the university’s reputation as one of Liberia’s fastest-growing public institutions of higher education.
Nimba University
Nimba University (NU), formerly Nimba County Community College, was established in 2010 and elevated to university status in 2021. With approximately 2,000 students and 300 faculty and staff members, NU offers a range of programs from technical and vocational training to bachelor’s degrees. The institution has been a beacon of academic excellence and a testament to the resilience of the Nimba County community.
Efforts to reach the university administration for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
