MONROVIA – The Liberian Senate has passed a bill to transform Bomi Community College into the Western Region University, expanding educational opportunities and fostering regional development. The decision was made during the Senate’s 12th-day sitting on Thursday, February 27, 2025, following a report from a joint committee recommending the bill’s passage.
The joint committee, comprising members from Education, Public Administration, Judiciary, Claims and Petition, and Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget, argued that the new university would enhance access to advanced education and contribute to Liberia’s development goals under the government’s ARREST agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
The new institution will be located in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, and will be authorized to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across various academic and professional fields. Lawmakers believe the university will foster economic growth in the Western region by producing a skilled workforce to meet the needs of key sectors, including agriculture, mining, and health. It will also expand educational access for underserved populations, particularly youth and women.
Established in 2005 and formally recognized in 2012, Bomi Community College has operated as the oldest government-owned community college in Liberia. It has awarded Associate of Arts (A.A.) degrees in a range of disciplines over a two-year period. With the passage of this bill, the institution will now become a full-fledged university offering a broader range of undergraduate and professional programs.
The Western region, comprising Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Grand Cape Mount Counties, is one of Liberia’s mineral-rich areas with an estimated population of 408,567 people, the majority of whom are young. Lawmakers see the transformation of the community college as a critical step toward addressing the educational and economic needs of the region.
The Senate’s decision aligns with Article 29 of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, which grants the Legislature the authority to pass laws. The bill’s approval marks a significant milestone in advancing higher education and promoting long-term economic development in Liberia’s western corridor.
