National Commission on Higher Education Shut Down Twenty-one Institutions and Suspends Several Reportedly For Operating Illegally In Liberia
June 25, 2025
Monrovia: The National Commission on Higher Education says it has shut down thirty-one (31) higher learning institutions and suspended twenty-two (22) others for reportedly operating illegally in the county
According to the National Commission on Higher Education, the higher learning institutions are not academically unqualified and lack proper accreditation and licenses to operate,
The sweeping review has resulted in the suspension and closure of institutions found to be operating below acceptable academic and regulatory standards.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), NCHE Director-General Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor described the findings as deeply troubling. He said many institutions were found to be operating illegally, lacking both proper accreditation and adequate infrastructure.
“We discovered that most of the institutions assessed are in dire condition, many are staffed by unqualified personnel, have poor facilities and are in violation of basic operational guidelines.” Dr. Wonkeryor noted.
The audit, launched in November 2024, evaluated multiple areas which include governance, curriculum, faculty qualifications, infrastructure, student services, research activity, and financial transparency carried out by NCHE’s senior staff in partnership with external experts intended to support President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes reform and accountability in public service.
According to NCHE, Institutional Rankings and Actions were Taken Based on evaluation and grouped into four categories. Category “A” fall under Fully Accredited and Chartered with 32 Institutions. The commissioner noted that these higher learning institutions met the most compliance standards and remained operational but must resolve minor issues within a designated timeframe.
Institutions that fall under this category include University of Liberia, Cottington University, African Bible College, Stella Maris Polytechnic University and Bomi County Community College Category.
He said twenty-five (25) institutions fall under category “B” which are Licensed but Critically Non-Compliant. The report noted that category “B” colleges face serious challenges, such as poor governance structures, unqualified instructors, and inadequate facilities and they have been given one month to one year to meet compliance requirements or risk closure. Institutions in this group include: BlueCrest University College George Johnson University College United Methodist University, Wilberforce Baptist University and Forestry Training Institute
Category “C” according to NCHE’s report Suspended 22 Institutions with Immediate effect, these institutions have grave operational deficiencies and legal violations. They include, Gloria Joy College of Science and Technology, Liberia Christian College, Messiah University College, Cypress International University and Evangel Christian University College with warning that any school operating under suspension will face strict legal action, including possible arrests and fines.
Category “D” has twenty-one (21) Institutions which are Illegal and has have been ordered to be Shut Down. The audit also uncovered a significant number of unauthorized institutions, offering degrees in sensitive fields like health sciences without approval or proper infrastructure which include: Merchu Institute of Health and Laboratory Sciences (72nd Junction), Christ School System (Pipeline Road), Open Bible College of Professional Studies (Jacob Town) and Royal Institute for Secretarial Science
“These institutions pose a serious risk to students and the broader society, their operations are both illegal and unethical, Graduate Programs and Oversight Expansion Beyond undergraduate institutions, ,” Dr. Wonkeryor stressed.
He said NCHE is also reviewing graduate-level programs, focusing especially on faculty credentials. Programs lacking terminal degree holders (e.g., PhDs) face suspension, adding that Trinity University has already had its graduate school shut down, but its undergraduate programs continue to be under scrutiny.
Dr. Wonkeryor emphasized the urgent need to strengthen NCHE’s regulatory capacity. He called for increased staffing, including the recruitment of at least five to six PhD-level professionals to support quality assurance efforts. “We cannot improve education without investing in the regulators themselves, our commitment to global academic standards requires both will and resources a Turning Point for Higher Education” he said.
NCHE’s enforcement efforts mark a clear shift in national education policy and unregulated, low-quality institutions will no longer be tolerated. All affected schools have been served formal reports and deadlines to rectify issues.
He noted that additional inspections, particularly in rural counties, are expected soon. “This is not a one-time exercise, we will continue to monitor, enforce, and hold institutions accountable. No one is above the law.”
As Liberia works toward a reformed and more credible higher education system, the message from the NCHE is unmistakable: the era of unchecked academic malpractice
