MOUNT BARCLAY — The National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) has officially broken ground for the construction of its new national secretariat headquarters in Mount Barclay, Montserrado County. The milestone project is valued at more than $3.5 million and is expected to be completed and dedicated by 2028.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025, NCHE Director General Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor described the initiative as a continuation of efforts to transform higher education in Liberia. He emphasized that the project aligns with the ruling Unity Party’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
“We deem it necessary to continue on the positive path of constructing the NCHE Secretariat Headquarters,” Dr. Wonkeryor said. “With the support of the Honorable Members of the Senate Budget Committee, particularly its chairman, Senator Prince Kermue Moye Sr. of Bong County, the Legislature has allotted $700,000 in the 2024–25 fiscal year to kick-start the first phase of this three-story building.”
Planned Features of the New Headquarters
According to Dr. Wonkeryor, the new headquarters will include a three-story building with offices, a conference room, and three guesthouses, among other facilities. The total estimated cost for the project stands at $3.5 million.
He expressed gratitude to the 55th Legislature for its continued support and lauded President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for his commitment to ensuring quality education across all tertiary institutions in Liberia.
Dr. Wonkeryor also acknowledged Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, who chairs the NCHE Board, along with the entire Board of Commissioners, for their ongoing support of the commission’s mandate and the building project.
A Look Back at NCHE’s History
Reflecting on NCHE’s journey, Dr. Wonkeryor noted that since its establishment in 1989, the commission has operated from rented spaces. When he assumed office in 2021 during the previous CDC administration, he said, the commission was in a “dilapidated” state.
“I could not believe what my eyes saw as the office of the director general — it was, to put it bluntly, no better than a pig pan,” he said.
Following a benchmarking visit to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Dr. Wonkeryor said he was further motivated to elevate NCHE’s standards, questioning how the commission could credibly inspect universities and colleges when its own facilities were subpar.
University of Liberia Donates Land
In response to these challenges, the University of Liberia (UL), under the leadership of then-President Dr. Julius Sarwolo Nelson, donated two acres of land for the construction of the NCHE headquarters. Dr. Wonkeryor expressed appreciation to the current UL administration, led by Dr. Layli Maparyan, for upholding this commitment.
“Thanks to the generosity of UL, NCHE now has land to call its own. We are deeply grateful,” he said.
A Call for Support
While reaffirming the commission’s determination to see the project through to completion, Dr. Wonkeryor appealed to all stakeholders, international partners, and well-meaning Liberians to contribute to the success of the construction.
“Liberia cannot be built by outsiders alone — it is our responsibility,” he emphasized. “Let us seize this moment to make history, for our posterity will remember us. In the words of President Boakai: ‘Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia.’”
Senior Presidential Advisor Launches Project
Speaking on behalf of President Boakai, his senior advisor, Dr. Augustine Konneh, officially launched the project. He noted that the president prefers attending groundbreaking ceremonies to dedication ceremonies, reflecting his focus on development.
“This is a major milestone in our pursuit of academic excellence and national progress,” Dr. Konneh said. “Higher education is central to building human capital, and this project is a crucial investment in our future.”
Concern Over Substandard Institutions
However, Dr. Konneh expressed concern over the proliferation of unqualified institutions of higher learning in the country, many of which lack the required infrastructure and start-up capital.
“It is imperative that we prioritize quality over quantity,” he said. “I urge NCHE to revisit its accreditation standards and ensure only institutions capable of delivering quality education are licensed to operate.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing the commission with the necessary budgetary support to effectively regulate the higher education sector.
Education Ministry and UL Reaffirm Support
Representing Education Minister Dr. Jarso Jallah, Deputy Minister for Administration Atty. Yekeh Y. Forpah commended the University of Liberia for donating the land and emphasized the timeliness of the project.
He called for increased financial support — not only for infrastructure but also for training professionals to manage the facility effectively.
UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan reiterated the university’s dedication to national development through education.
“We are fully committed to working with the NCHE to make this vision a reality,” she said.
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