Monrovia, Liberia—The appointment of Dr. Layli Maparyan, an American citizen, as the 16th President of the University of Liberia has sparked controversy across the country. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai announced the appointment on January 4, 2025, drawing intense criticism from various quarters, including academia, civil society, and ordinary Liberians. The decision has reignited a debate over national pride, competence, and the role of Liberians in leading their institutions.
Dr. Maparyan, born in New York and currently residing in Massachusetts, has historical ties to Liberia through a Fulbright appointment at the University of Liberia in 2010 and her marriage to a Liberian. While President Boakai expressed confidence in her integrity, experience, and leadership abilities, critics argue that such a critical position should have been reserved for a qualified Liberian. They see the move as undermining the intellectual and cultural significance of Liberia’s premier institution of higher learning.
Renowned Liberian scholar Dr. Kimmie Weeks joined the chorus of disapproval. In a statement titled Summary of My Take on the Appointment of a Foreigner as the President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Weeks stressed the importance of empowering Liberians to lead national institutions. He argued that the challenges facing the University of Liberia stem not from a lack of capable local talent but from chronic underfunding and systemic neglect. According to Dr. Weeks, appointing a qualified Liberian and providing adequate resources would yield better outcomes for the university.
The historical precedent of Dr. Rocheforte L. Weeks, the first Liberian to lead the University of Liberia, serves as a reminder of what can be achieved when national institutions are led by homegrown talent. His leadership, which marked a turning point for the university, is celebrated as a testament to the competence and intellect of Liberians. Critics now view Dr. Maparyan’s appointment as a regression that undermines the progress symbolized by Dr. Weeks’ tenure.
Party For the People leader and civil society advocate Matthew Nyanplu also weighed in, denouncing the appointment as a “deliberate affront” to Liberians working tirelessly to qualify for such roles. Nyanplu criticized President Boakai’s decision as a failure of leadership and poor judgment, pointing to the broader implications for national pride and development. He highlighted the economic and political symbolism of the position, arguing that appointing a foreigner sends a message to the world that Liberians are not competent to lead their own institutions.
Nyanplu further emphasized the economic implications of the decision, lamenting that a qualified Liberian lost an opportunity to contribute to the nation’s growth. He argued that such appointments demotivate Liberians who pursue advanced education abroad, only to find their aspirations undermined by decisions that favor foreign candidates. According to him, education is deeply cultural, and leadership roles at institutions like the University of Liberia should prioritize individuals with contextual knowledge of the nation’s realities.
The appointment has also generated concerns about the political dynamics within the university. Critics argue that the institution needs a leader who is neutral and detached from the entrenched political affiliations of both the faculty and student bodies. They fear that the presence of a foreigner in such a politically sensitive role may exacerbate tensions rather than resolve them.
President Boakai’s administration defended the decision in an Executive Mansion press release, stating that it was made in consultation with the University’s Board of Trustees. The Executive Mansion emphasized Dr. Maparyan’s qualifications and commitment to the university’s development. However, this defense has done little to quell the growing discontent among Liberians who feel sidelined in their own country.
The controversy also raises questions about Liberia’s approach to governance and development. Critics argue that entrusting key national institutions to foreigners undermines the country’s sovereignty and self-reliance. They point to the symbolic significance of the University of Liberia as a bastion of national identity and intellectual achievement, urging the government to prioritize Liberians for leadership roles.
This decision has also fueled comparisons with previous administrations. Nyanplu recalled how former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf refrained from endorsing Boakai in 2017, a move he now interprets as a prescient assessment of Boakai’s leadership capabilities. According to Nyanplu, the first year of Boakai’s presidency has been marked by poor decisions, with Dr. Maparyan’s appointment as a glaring example.
For many, this controversy is not merely about the qualifications of one individual but a larger struggle for national pride and competence. Critics insist Liberia has no shortage of qualified scholars who can lead the University of Liberia to greater heights. They see the appointment of Dr. Maparyan as an indictment of the nation’s willingness to invest in its people.
In the face of mounting criticism, opposition figures have vowed to reverse the decision if they come to power in 2029. They have pledged to replace Dr. Maparyan with a qualified Liberian, emphasizing their commitment to restoring national pride and empowering local talent.
The controversy surrounding Dr. Maparyan’s appointment has exposed deep-seated frustrations with Liberia’s governance and development trajectory. For many Liberians, the decision is a missed opportunity to showcase the nation’s brightest talents. In a brief conversation with Verity News on Sunday, January 5, political commentator and lawyer Gabriel Nah remarked that as the debate continues, it remains unclear whether the Boakai administration will reconsider its position or resolutely defend the contentious decision.
