To Strengthen Faculty Development And Academic Research Capacity
By Tokpa M. Tarne, tarnue82@gmail.com
VOINJAMA, Liberia–Lofa County University (LCU) has signed a landmark academic cooperation agreement with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Nigeria, opening new opportunities for advanced studies, faculty development, research, and institutional capacity building.
The agreement was signed at the end of a four-day visit to Ahmadu Bello University by Dr. Isaac P. Podah, President and CEO of Lofa County University, and the University’s Vice President for Institutional Development Momo Taylor.
According to the LCU President and CEO Dr. Isaac Podah, during the four-day engagement in Nigeria, the LCU leadership delegation toured ABU’s academic and learning facilities, held discussions with university officials, and assessed the institution’s postgraduate programmes, academic infrastructure, research environment, and capacity to support the professional development of LCU faculty.
He said, the visit culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a framework for academic cooperation between the two institutions.
LCU President and CEO, Dr. Isaac P. Podah signed the agreement on behalf of Lofa County University, while Professor Adamu Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, signed on behalf of ABU.
“This partnership had earlier received the approval of the LCU Board in March, following discussions and institutional processes that identified faculty development as a key priority in strengthening the university’s academic and research capacity” Dr. Podah emphasized.
Under the agreement, qualified LCU faculty members will have opportunities to pursue Master’s and PhD. programs at Ahmadu Bello University in selected academic disciplines.
The initial phase of the partnership places particular emphasis on the Faculty of Agriculture and the College of Engineering, two areas considered critical to LCU’s academic growth and contribution to Liberia’s development.
He disclosed that initial postgraduate programs include PhD. opportunities in agronomy, agricultural extension, Crop Science/Horticulture, civil engineering highway structures, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
The agreement allows for the future expansion of the partnership into additional disciplines, including Business and Public Administration, Accounting, Economics, Nursing and Health Sciences, Education, English, History, and Geography, subject to mutual agreement and institutional readiness.
The MoU provides for the initial cohorts of LCU faculty to undertake their postgraduate studies primarily through traditional, in-person learning at ABU.
The arrangement is expected to transition gradually toward a blended learning model, combining online instruction with periodic face-to-face engagements, as LCU continues to strengthen its digital and technical infrastructure.
The approach is designed to allow LCU faculty members to pursue advanced degrees while minimizing extended periods away from their teaching and administrative responsibilities at the university.
The partnership is expected to have a significant impact on LCU’s efforts to improve the quality of teaching and research.
The LCU President and CEO said, increasing the number of faculty members with advanced postgraduate qualifications, the university anticipates stronger research output, improved teaching capacity, enhanced academic programs, and greater institutional expertise.
The agreement also establishes mechanisms for both universities to monitor student progress, evaluate program implementation, address challenges, and explore additional areas of academic cooperation.
A Joint Steering Committee comprising representatives from both institutions will provide oversight and support the implementation of the agreement.
Leadership Visit Marks New Chapter
The signing followed several days of direct engagement between the LCU leadership and ABU officials, giving the Liberian delegation an opportunity to observe firsthand the academic environment and facilities that will support participating LCU faculty.
The collaboration also strengthens educational ties between Liberia and Nigeria and creates a platform for broader knowledge exchange between institutions of higher learning in West Africa.
He further indicated that the MoU will remain in force for an initial period of five years, subject to renewal by mutual agreement.
As implementation begins, LCU is expected to identify and nominate qualified faculty members who meet ABU’s postgraduate admission requirements for participation in the program.
The partnership with Ahmadu Bello University represents another significant milestone in LCU’s institutional development agenda and reinforces the university’s commitment to investing in its most important academic resource, its faculty.