Dr. Layli Maparyan has dismissed eight staff members of the University of Liberia with immediate effect over an explosive academic fraud scandal. Her swift action comes after an investigation revealed that Dorr Cooper, Liberia’s Inspector General of Commerce, secured a degree by impersonating a deceased student and paying $10,000 in bribes. The scandal broke just days before the university’s September 10, 2024, commencement.
The university wasted no time revoking Cooper’s degree and declaring him persona non grata. He is now banned from all university activities, a rare and public rebuke for a government official. This case has sparked major controversies with students and civil society groups demanding Cooper’s immediate removal from his government post. All eyes are now on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, whose next move will signal how seriously the administration takes corruption.
Academic fraud is a chronic problem in Liberia, and this scandal is just the tip of the iceberg. In a 2023 survey, every respondent in Monrovia rated corruption in education as “high,” with a perfect score of 5 out of 5. Bribery for grades, including cash and even sexual favors, is rampant in schools and universities. These practices have eroded trust in Liberia’s education system and left many students disillusioned.
The University of Liberia’s struggles with integrity are deeply rooted, with a long history of allegations that go well beyond the recent high-profile fraud cases. For decades, the institution has faced persistent accusations that some of its own lecturers and professors obtained their academic credentials from questionable or unaccredited institutions, casting a shadow over the credibility of its faculty and the value of its degrees. Reports have surfaced of individuals rising to senior academic ranks without proper vetting or credential audits, and the university has been criticized for conferring professorships on staff with dubious qualifications.
Liberia’s education sector is plagued by chronic underfunding, weak oversight, and poor infrastructure. According to Transparency International, 68% of Liberians believe corruption is widespread in education, making it one of the country’s most distrusted public institutions. These weaknesses have fueled illiteracy and limited opportunities for millions of young Liberians.
Which is why Dr. Maparyan’s move is applaudable. Dr. Maparyan is not stopping at dismissals. She is rolling out a zero-tolerance policy for academic fraud, launching a whistleblower platform, and overhauling the Office of Enrollment Services. These reforms aim to restore public confidence and close loopholes that have allowed misconduct to flourish. The university is also introducing stricter graduation clearance procedures to ensure every degree is earned, not bought.
Liberia stands at a crossroads. Dr. Maparyan’s bold leadership offers a blueprint for reform, but lasting change will require a national commitment to transparency, accountability, and investment in education. The fight against academic fraud is far from over, but the University of Liberia has fired the opening shot in a battle for the country’s future.
