Africa-Press – Liberia. The University of Liberia (UL), one of West Africa’s oldest institutions of higher learning, is undergoing turbulent changes as its top administration proceeds with a large-scale retirement plan for faculty and proposes a substantial budget for campus renovations.
The university president, Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan, confirmed the New Dawn Newspaper Investigation to the Liberian Senate Committee on Education about retirement plans for lecturers and professors during an appearance on Thursday, September 4.
She said the move is intended to reduce financial cost and save resources, while proposing a whopping US$41 million for adequate and average renovation of the University of Liberia.
The retirement initiative, she explained, aims to align with Liberian law, which mandates retirement at age 60; however, she noted that academia often allows experienced individuals to continue teaching beyond this statutory age.
Dr. Maparyan elaborated, “We will implement reductions by retiring those who have reached the age limit, as the retirement age in Liberia is 60. However, in academia, individuals can continue to teach beyond this age. We will also remove ghost names.” This move is presented by the administration as a necessary step, not only for compliance but also as a measure for cost-saving and resource optimization.
She appeared alongside Education Minister Dr. Jarso M. Jallah, and Dr. Augustine Stevens, Acting Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), to address issues affecting the education sector.
Among the committee’s concerns are policy priorities for basic and secondary education, the welfare of local and international students, grievances raised by the University of Liberia Faculty Association, and measures to enhance learning outcomes, teacher training, and accountability.
Senator McGill has requested comprehensive administrative and academic plans from each official for the current budget year, implying increased scrutiny on how the university manages both its human and financial resources.
Their appearance came on the heels of an invitation from the Senate Committee on Education, chaired by Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill, dated September 3.
Meanwhile, commenting on the deplorable condition of the University, Dr. Maparyan disclosed that the University will need approximately US$3.9 million for total renovation. She said the amount was included in the US41 million budget presented to the Legislature, but that they received only US33 million, 90 percent of which is for salaries.
“It will cost $3.9 million to renovate the University of Liberia, and an additional $300,000 is needed for bathroom renovations. We requested a budget of $41 million, but we only received $33 million. However, 90% of the $33 million has been allocated for salaries.
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, this paper reported that at least over two hundred and three (203) faculty members of the University of Liberia, including former Central Bank Governor, Dr. Mills Jones, and Ex-executive director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Professor Wilson Tarpeh, have been allegedly recommended for retirement to save costs at the University.
A purported list obtained by The NEW DAWN, containing names of staff to be affected, under the caption, University of Liberia Faculty and Staff listing as of June 2025, indicates that the cost-saving measure is allegedly being proposed by the Interim Vice President for Finance and Fiscal Affairs, Dr. Lester Tenny, pending approval of UL President, Dr. Ophelia Maparyan. The list contains names of lecturers and professors, their dates of employment, dates of birth, gender, and current ages.
However, while the administration claims retirement is a financial necessity, critics have accused Dr. Maparyan of ulterior motives. Allegations have surfaced that nearly 50 individuals, previously redundant and by USAID, have been “imported” into the University of Liberia’s faculty, receiving academic ranks ranging from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor.
It is alleged that to accommodate these new appointees, Dr. Maparyan has directed Dr. Lester Tenny, Interim Vice President for Finance and Fiscal Affairs, to advocate for the premature retirement of selected faculty, including some who are not yet at retirement age.
Those most notable on the retirement list include Dr. J. Mills Jones, Prof. S. Morris Cooper, and Prof. Wilson Tarpeh, among others.
Critics argue that these individuals represent decades of institutional knowledge, professional competence, and commitment to the University’s growth, contending that their forced retirement would be a direct blow to academic freedom, institutional memory, and the quality of education at the UL.
“The intent behind this scheme is to weaken independent voices within the faculty ranks, accommodate loyalists who owe their positions to Dr. Maparyan’s patronage. Also, this is intended to erode the integrity and autonomy of the University of Liberia as a public academic institution. Lastly, if this agenda succeeds, the University risks becoming an institution run by favoritism rather than merit, undermining its credibility nationally and internationally.” They noted.
Meanwhile, speaking to this paper on condition of anonymity, one of the potential victims of the pending exercise, said the recent developments at the University of Liberia reveal a troubling scheme by the current administration under Dr. Ophelia Maparyan.
According to him, a list of active, qualified, and experienced faculty members is being quietly prepared for premature retirement.
The move appears less about academic reform and more about creating space for new appointees whose loyalty will be directed to Dr. Maparyan personally, rather than to the University as an institution. Such actions set a dangerous precedent for political patronage and the personal consolidation of power within an academic environment.
However, after a series of calls and text messages, Cllr. Noris Tweah, Vice President for University Relations, said he was on a tennis court and had ended his working hours; therefore, he couldn’t speak to the matter.
“Lincoln, it’s after working hours, and I am on the tennis court right now. I am telling you that I am on the tennis court right now, and it’s after working hours. The University is only paying me for the hours I work. I had a long day today. I am on the tennis court playing game, so I can’t talk now “, Cllr. Tweah said.
Also, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, this paper again contacted Cllr. Tweah for follow-up via direct calls and text messages, but he declined to comment.
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