MONROVIA — The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has remitted US$550,000 to the University of Liberia (UL) after urgent discussions over the school’s ability to open for the academic semester. This was disclosed to The Liberian Post (TLP) by impeccable sources within the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the University of Liberia.
However, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has stressed that UL’s payroll must undergo an immediate “cleanup” before the MFDP will remit the September 2025 salaries for the university.
This transfer of funds, which was not part of the University’s legislated national budget allocation, was sent to the UL’s account sometime last week, according to sources within both MFDP and UL. The University’s 2025 approved budget is about US$33.9 million, up from approximately US$33.3 million the previous year.
Ngafuan Appearance on The Class Reloaded
In an appearance on “The Class Reloaded” an online talk show, on Friday, September 12, 2025, Minister Ngafuan clarified that the US$550,000 was an “off‑budget” fund — meaning it was not legislated through the Legislature as part of UL’s annual budget. The appeal for additional resources came after UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan informed the Senate’s Education Committee that the institution needed US$550,000 overall to ensure readiness for the semester, but urgently required US$200,000 to cover immediate reopening costs. The Finance Minister said before she had come before the Senate’s committee on Education, she and three of her Vice Presidents had met with him and his subordinates in a five-hour meeting at the Ministry.
Minister Ngafuan further emphasized: “…this extra money is off‑budget. It wasn’t part of what the Legislature approved for the University. But for the month of September everyone on the university payroll must be re‑verified, certified. Otherwise … we will not pay anyone who will not be certified…”
He added that heads of departments, deans, vice presidents, up to the university president will need to sign off on faculty payroll to certify legitimacy. He also reserved the right to submit the payroll list to integrity institutions for external verification.
Structure of UL Payroll
- According to reports, nearly US$32 million of UL’s US$33.9 million budget is consumed by personnel costs. That leaves very little for maintenance, operations, infrastructure, and other academic needs.
- Earlier, UL had requested US$500,000 in emergency additional funding from the Legislature to address urgent renovations and contractor payments, warning that failure to receive these funds could delay the school from opening its new semester.
Why the Payroll Cleanup Matters
The insistence on cleaning up the payroll before releasing the September salaries is intended to:
- Ensure that only legitimate staff (professors, administrative staff, etc.) who have submitted proper documentation are paid.
- Remove ghost names, inactive employees, or redundant staff whom department heads cannot certify.
- Increase transparency and curb misuse of public funds.
- Avoid further strain on the budget by ensuring that allocated payroll is accurate and justifiable.
Reactions & Implications
- University Leadership may be under pressure to quickly verify payroll lists, ensure documentation from department heads is complete, and engage external partners if needed.
- Staff and faculty are likely concerned about delayed pay if they or their department heads fail to provide required certifications.
- Legislature & Oversight Institutions may become involved, especially if Ngafuan follows through on carrying payroll lists to integrity bodies.
- This move may set precedent for other public institutions receiving state funding — signaling stricter oversight of budget allocations, especially where payroll expenses dominate budgets.
What Comes Next
- The MFDP will likely set a deadline for UL to submit a fully certified payroll list.
- September 2025 salary payments are contingent on completion of that payroll verification process.
- Any delays or disputes over who qualifies could disrupt the reopening of academic activities for staff and students.
- UL’s ability to mobilize external funding and partners may be essential to bridge gaps caused by limited operational budget after payroll.
