MONROVIA, Montserrado – Video evidence shows that President George Weah did indeed request 6,000 teachers from Nigeria during his recent trip to the West African nation.

This is contrary to Weah’s clarification to journalists on Tuesday that his plea was only for Nigeria’s support in the form of experts who could build the capacity of Liberian teachers.

“I spoke with the [education] minister, and what I did was to go out there and look for people to come and help to strengthen the sector, so we can have more people; not to go bring 6,000 teachers into the country,” the president told reporters on Tuesday.

However, in a video posted by OAK TV in Nigeria, Weah told a press conference in Nigeria that his government was seeking Nigeria’s intervention for 6,000 teachers, under the bilateral teacher exchange program, to make up for the shortage of qualified teachers in the country.

“Under the bilateral teacher exchange program, we are seeking 6,000 teachers to make up for the shortage of good teachers in our education system,” he said while in Nigeria.

Weah’s change in position was likely driven by criticisms from the public and members of the opposition over his request.

Following his clarification, a press release posted on social media by officials of the Information Ministry announcing the request for 6,000 teachers was also immediately taken down.

The release posted on Monday said Weah called on the Nigerian government to provide 6,000 teachers to Liberia as part of the Technical Assistance Agreement between the two nations.