Mass retirement looms at UL?

The NEW DAWN has gathered that the University of Liberia is considering retiring over 200 staff, including professors and lecturers. 

 By Lincoln G. Peters

 Monrovia, Liberia; September 4, 2025 – 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, critics have accused Dr. Maparyan of importing nearly fifty (50) individuals, previously made redundant by USAID, and hurriedly placing them within the University of Liberia faculty structure, granting them academic ranks ranging from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor.

 Critics suggest that to create space for these new appointees, she has directed Dr. Lester Tenny to force the retirement of selected professors, including several who have not yet reached the statutory 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 a 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 represent a dangerous precedent of political patronage and personal consolidation of power within an academic environment.”

 However, after series of calls and texts 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 saying to you, I am on the tennis court right now, and it’s after working hours. The University is only paying me for working hours. 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. Editing by Jonathan Browne