MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Liberian government has put its $25 million Nekotech scholarship program for STEM students on hold following allegations of fraud and public skepticism about its legitimacy. The initiative, announced as a groundbreaking opportunity for 250 Liberians to study in the United States, has come under scrutiny, leading to its suspension.
Launched on November 6 by President Joseph Boakai in collaboration with Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, the program promised non-collateral student loans through a partnership with Nekotech, an organization claiming to facilitate global education for African youth. However, allegations of deception surfaced after former Assistant Minister for Information Services, Matthew Nyanplu, described the program as a scam designed to exploit struggling Liberian students.
Nyanplu, in a social media post, warned the public against participating, accusing Nekotech of misleading applicants and collecting unnecessary fees. He stated that the promised work-study program was a federally funded U.S. initiative that no private organization could guarantee. Nyanplu alleged, “This is a scheme to take money from Liberians under false pretenses. A work-study program is federally funded, and no non-U.S. private entity can ensure its availability.”
Applicants shared similar concerns. One individual, Neowon Suah, recounted being added to a group of over 1,000 participants and facing repeated payment demands, including $11.99 for grade conversion and $236 as a “readiness fee.” Suah expressed frustration, saying, “This program was supposed to be a government-backed initiative. The unexpected fees raised serious red flags for me.”
Nekotech’s CEO, Dr. Princess Okansi, defended the program, explaining that the fees covered services such as English proficiency training, school admissions support, visa interview coaching, and loan application reviews. She later claimed that the $236 fee had been waived for Liberian applicants enrolling in the spring 2025 session.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saywhar Nana Gbaa confirmed to VOA Africa that the program had been temporarily halted but clarified that only new applications were paused. “We are reviewing the influx of applications to ensure proper evaluation,” Gbaa stated, emphasizing that the program itself had not been terminated.
Following his resignation after being suspended for speaking out, Nyanplu continued to highlight what he called systemic inefficiencies in Liberia’s governance. He argued that loyalty to the presidency often outweighs competence, leading to poor decision-making and a lack of accountability. “Governance is a public service, not the work of any individual—not the President, not the Minister. It belongs to the people,” Nyanplu remarked.
He further alleged that the Nekotech initiative exemplified deeper issues of unchecked power and inadequate oversight within Liberia’s governance structure. Nyanplu shared recordings from Nekotech webinars, encouraging the public to scrutinize the program’s operations, which included dubious financial demands and misleading promises.
The suspension of the Nekotech program has intensified calls for transparency in public service. Critics are urging a thorough investigation into the program’s management and questioning how such an initiative was launched without adequate oversight.
This controversy has generated concerns about the governance framework and the need to safeguard public resources from exploitation. The government faces mounting pressure to address these issues and restore public confidence.
