By: Martina Fanciah
The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has entered into a landmark partnership with William V.S. Tubman University, making the Maryland-based institution the first university in Liberia to begin offering diploma courses in football coaching license programs.
The two parties formalized the historic agreement on Friday, July 25, 2025, during a signing ceremony held at the LFA headquarters in Monrovia.
The partnership is aimed at strengthening football development in Liberia through formal academic training in coaching and related disciplines.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the LFA and Tubman University establishes a collaborative framework that will integrate professional coaching education into the university’s academic curriculum.
“This initiative is expected to enhance the quality of football coaching in Liberia by equipping aspiring coaches with the knowledge, technical skills, and certifications needed to excel both locally and internationally”, it added.
Speaking at the event, LFA President Mustapha Raji hailed the agreement as a major step toward the professionalization of football in the country.
Accordingto him, the partnership reflects their commitment to capacity building and the long-term development of football in Liberia. By working with an academic institution like Tubman University, we are investing in the future of the game,” Raji said.
Dr. Olu Menja , expressed pride in the university’s pioneering role in such endeavor.
“We are honored to be the first higher education institution in Liberia to offer accredited coaching license programs. This collaboration with the LFA will open doors for our students and help foster a new generation of educated football professionals,” he remarked.
The courses, which will be launched in the upcoming academic semester, are expected to cover a range of certification levels in line with international coaching standards. They will include both theoretical instruction and practical training, with oversight and curriculum support from the LFA’s Technical Department.
This partnership also aligns with broader efforts by the LFA to professionalize all aspects of football in Liberia from grassroots to elite levels by emphasizing education, licensing, and structured development pathways.
The signing ceremony was attended by officials from the Ministries of Youth and Sports and Education, representatives of local football clubs,and members of the media.
With this MoU now in effect, Liberia takes a bold step forward in blending academic rigor with sports development marking a significant milestone in the nation’s football evolution.
