At least over two 203 faculty members of the University of Liberia (UL), including former Central Bank Governor, Dr. Mill Jones, and ex-executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Wilson Tarpeh, has been recommended for retirement and for ‘cost reduction.’
The list in the possession of the In-profile Daily newspaper, captioned: “University of Liberia Faculty and Staff listing as of June 2025,” mentioned as list of staff and faculty for retirement and for cost reduction. It is being proposed and drafted by the Interim Vice President for Finance and Fiscal Affairs, Dr. Lester Tenny, pending UL President’s approval. The list contained lecturer and professor date of employment, date of birth, gender and as well as current age. However, critics have accused Dr. Leyil Maparyan of importing nearly 50 individuals, previously made redundant by USAID, and hurriedly placed them within the UL faculty structure-granting them academic ranks from Assistant Professors to full-fledged Associate Professors. They further indicated that in order to create space for these new appointees, Maparyan has instructed Dr. Lester Tenny, to forcefully retired selected professors, including several of them who have not yet reached the statutory retirement age. Those most notably on the retirement list includes, Dr. J. Mills Jones, Professors S. Morris Cooper and Wilson Tarpeh. But critics are of the believe that these individuals represent decades of institutional knowledge, professional competence, and a commitment to the university growth, arguing that their forced retirement would be a direct blow to academic freedom, institutional memory, and the quality of education at the state-run UL. “The intent behind this scheme is to weaken independent voices within the faculty ranks, and accommodate loyalists, who owe their positions to Dr. Maparyan’s patronage,” remarked a senior lecturer. Also, this is intended to erode the integrity and autonomy of the UL 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,” another said. On the condition of anonymity, one of the potential victims and a faculty said that the recent developments at the UL revealed a troubling scheme by the current administration.
Following series or calls and text messages, Counselor Noris Tweah, head of the University Relations, responded in a telephone conversation, saying: “I am at the tennis court, and have also ended my working hours, therefore, I can’t speak to the matter.”
“It is after a working hour, and I am on the tennis court right now. That all I am saying to you guys. The university is only paying me for working hours. I had a long day today. I am on the tennis court playing games, so I can’t talk now,” he concluded.
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