IPNEWS: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called on Liberia’s emerging student leaders to rise above partisanship and self-interest, urging them to “Think Liberia, Love Liberia, Build Liberia.”
The message, delivered at the African Student Leadership Forum held at Best Brains University in Paynesville, drew applause but also renewed debate about whether rhetoric alone can inspire meaningful youth engagement in national development.
The forum brought together representatives from major institutions, including the University of Liberia, Cuttington University, AMEU, and community colleges from all fifteen counties.
Addressing them, President Boakai said their presence was no coincidence, but a recognition of their potential and the trust the nation places in them.
Speaking “as a father to his children,” the President stressed that patriotism must guide every decision they make.
He reminded the audience that accountability is a right, yet it must be exercised responsibly in ways that strengthen, not fracture, the country’s fragile democratic culture.
Quoting Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, the President warned students against glorifying leaders who undermine the future of young people, urging them instead to promote constructive dialogue and evidence-based advocacy.
Boakai used the moment to underscore the importance of education, discipline, character, and national unity, insisting that Liberia’s future ministers, judges, diplomats, and innovators are currently sitting in classrooms across the country.
He encouraged the students to see themselves as “bridge builders” and defenders of peace, anchored in humility and service.
However, the President’s speech arrives at a time when many young Liberians express deep frustration over limited economic opportunities, slow education reforms, and growing concerns about governance.
Some youth leaders who attended the forum said that while the President’s message was inspirational, the administration must match words with concrete action.
“Motivational speeches are good, but young people need jobs, better schools, and genuine inclusion in national decision-making,” one student representative noted after the event.
As Liberia grapples with unemployment, school infrastructure challenges, and rising cost of living, the President’s call for patriotic leadership places renewed pressure on his government to deliver the reforms young people have repeatedly demanded.
Whether Boakai’s admonition will translate into new partnerships, improved policies, and real empowerment for student leaders remains a critical question for the administration and for Liberia’s next generation of decision-makers.
