Ankara, Republic of Türkiye – July 11, 2026 – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has met with members of the Liberian Students Association in Türkiye, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving engagement with Liberians abroad and addressing concerns affecting students pursuing higher education in the country.
The meeting took place on Friday as part of President Boakai’s official working visit to the Republic of Türkiye.
The student delegation was led by Abraham G. Suah, President of the Liberian Students Association in Türkiye, and included Abdurahim Sheik Diallo, the Liberian Student Representative in Istanbul.
During the engagement, the students welcomed President Boakai and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet with him directly, describing the interaction as an important step toward strengthening communication between the Liberian government and its citizens studying overseas.
The students outlined several challenges affecting Liberians in Türkiye, chief among them the absence of a Liberian Embassy in the country.
According to the students, the establishment of a diplomatic mission in Türkiye would significantly improve access to passport renewals, travel documents, and other essential consular services, eliminating the need for Liberians to travel to another country to obtain such services.
They also proposed the creation of a formal communication mechanism between the Government of Liberia and Liberian students in Türkiye to facilitate regular dialogue, improve coordination, and ensure that issues affecting the student community are addressed promptly.
The students further emphasized the importance of maintaining a recognized student representative to serve as a liaison with the Liberian government on matters concerning students living and studying in Türkiye.
Responding to the concerns, President Boakai thanked the students for what he described as their thoughtful and constructive engagement.
He encouraged them to remain committed to their academic pursuits while continuing to serve as positive ambassadors of Liberia.
The President acknowledged the issues raised during the meeting and assured the students that his administration would carefully review the proposals, particularly those aimed at strengthening government engagement with Liberians in Türkiye and improving the delivery of consular services.
President Boakai also underscored the important contribution Liberians living abroad make to national development, encouraging the students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to help advance Liberia’s growth upon their return home.
The meeting formed part of President Boakai’s broader working visit to Türkiye, which has included bilateral discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, meetings with Turkish business leaders, and efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations while promoting investment opportunities for Liberia.
