Published: May 23, 2025
GANTA — The Prince Y. Johnson Polyethnic University (PYJPU) in Ganta is poised for a government takeover following its prolonged closure after the death of its founder, Senator Prince Yormie Johnson.
Sources close to the institution told The Liberian Investigator that the government, through the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE), is in advanced discussions to transition the school from private to public ownership. The move aims to preserve the institution and protect the academic future of its students.
The university, which officially opened its doors to students in September 2022 after a public dedication in March that year, has remained closed since the senator’s death in November 2024. The closure has disrupted the academic progress of hundreds of students and halted ongoing construction projects and broadcasting activities at its affiliated radio station.
In a key stakeholders’ meeting held May 14 in Ganta, representatives from the NCHE, the Office of the Vice President, the school’s Board of Trustees, and local authorities met to discuss a path forward. Students were also present, though the institution does not currently have an organized student leadership body due to its short operational history and lack of graduates.
As part of the proposed plan, the government will annex PYJPU to Nimba University, the county’s existing public university, creating a new extension campus that would host science-based programs currently offered at the main campus. The renamed institution would operate as “Nimba University – PYJ Extension.”
The NCHE has assured stakeholders that the transition could be completed within three to four months, with a target of resuming academic activities in September 2025.
“The goal is to protect students’ academic futures and preserve the legacy of the late senator, who was deeply committed to education,” a source familiar with the discussions said.
While student sentiment on the matter remains unclear due to the absence of formal representation, university authorities have reportedly welcomed the proposed transition.
They view the government’s intervention as a step toward ensuring sustainability and institutional growth, as well as expanding access to quality higher education in the region.
In a message posted on social media, University President Martin Sumo Jr. expressed hope and called on students to remain patient during the transition process.
“Today, I am filled with hope and optimism as we navigate these challenging times,” Sumo said. “I know that each of you has felt the weight of uncertainty and the longing for the vibrant community that defines our university. But amid these challenges, I want to reassure you: better things are on the horizon.”
The government’s next steps will involve finalizing legal and administrative frameworks to assume full ownership of the institution and integrate it into the national public university system.
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