Is Liberia’s President Boakai the most educated leader in Africa?

Following a recent high-profile meeting with Donald Trump, Liberian President Joseph Boakai sparked online chatter—some claiming he’s the continent’s most academically accomplished leader. But is that really the case?

In the digital age, where moments go viral in seconds, a simple interaction can birth sweeping narratives. That’s exactly what happened after Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai met with former U.S. President Donald Trump. As clips of their meeting circulated online—particularly Trump’s praise of Boakai’s spoken English—supporters seized the opportunity to elevate Boakai’s profile, with many claiming he is “the most educated president in Africa.”

While the admiration is understandable, especially for a man who holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and pursued further studies in the United States, the claim doesn’t quite stand up to scrutiny.

Boakai’s Educational Background

Joseph Boakai, born in 1944, graduated with a BBA from the University of Liberia in 1972. He also undertook further studies in the United States at Kansas State University, where he focused on institutional management and development.

Though respectable, this academic journey is not exceptional when compared to the vast educational attainments of other African heads of state—many of whom hold master’s and doctoral degrees in various fields. As such, the viral claim about Boakai being the most educated among his peers appears more rooted in admiration than fact.

So, who really holds that title?

Meet Africa’s Most Educated President: Dr. William Samoei Ruto

According to See Africa Today, the African leader who can verifiably be called the most educated sitting president is none other than Dr. William Ruto, the President of Kenya.

Dr. Ruto is not only a seasoned politician but also a rare academic achiever who has earned a complete suite of academic qualifications—Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate—in a scientific field, all through rigorous academic effort.

Dr. William Ruto’s Academic Credentials:

• PhD in Plant Ecology – University of Nairobi (2018)

• MSc in Plant Ecology – University of Nairobi (2011)

• BSc in Botany and Zoology – University of Nairobi (1990)

Unlike many African presidents who hold honorary doctorates, Ruto’s PhD was earned the hard way—through long-term field research, scholarly publications, and a formal dissertation defense. His research focused on the effects of land use changes on riparian ecosystems in Kenya, culminating in a thesis titled:
“Influence of human activities on land use changes on environmental quality of riparian ecosystems: A case study of Saiwa Swamp watershed, Western Kenya.”

While serving as Deputy President, Ruto committed himself to academic discipline, managing to balance the demands of his political office with coursework, research, and academic writing. He reportedly spent at least two hours daily on his PhD work and even traveled by helicopter to conduct field studies in Kenya’s wetlands.

What Sets Ruto Apart?

Several factors distinguish Ruto’s academic journey from his peers:

• He earned all his degrees locally, in Kenya.

• His credentials are in the STEM field—a rarity among African heads of state.

  
  
  

• His research directly informs his policies on climate resilience and environmental protection.

• He maintained academic integrity while holding one of the highest political offices in the country.

According to See Africa Today, “He is a modern-day leader setting the pace in academics by ranking among the most educated presidents in Africa.” This is not just based on titles but on demonstrated scholarly contributions and applicable research.

Education and Leadership: Beyond the Certificates

To be clear, academic qualifications are only one dimension of effective leadership. Vision, moral authority, experience, and people skills matter just as much. However, in an era where misinformation is easily spread, it’s crucial to separate admiration from verifiable facts.

President Boakai’s rise is inspiring—his commitment to public service, advocacy for governance reform, and eloquence are commendable. But when it comes to formal academic achievement, Dr. William Ruto stands alone as the African president who has earned and applied his education to both scholarship and statecraft.

While the praise surrounding President Boakai’s intellect is not misplaced, the claim that he is Africa’s most educated president is inaccurate. That title, by all available data and credible sources, belongs to Kenya’s President William Ruto, who holds a doctorate in Plant Ecology, earned while in political office, and backed by published academic research.