Many Saw It Coming
By Our Staff Writer
Many saw it coming, after the Vice President of the state-owned University of Liberia (UL), Dr. Lester Tenny arrogantly described the leadership of the striking faculty and staff Associations (ULFA/ULSA) as “headless chicken” in a Social Media video podcast several days ago.
In the heat of the strike in mid-August, the controversial UL Vice President took to the Social Media to do a podcast in which he characterized the aggrieved strikers as “headless chicken” with other denigrating remarks, something that reportedly even sparked serious concerns in the Liberian presidency.
In what some UL observers say amounts to “adding insult to injury” is a Facebook podcast posted by one of the two Vice Presidents ULFA/ULSA want removed, Dr. Lester Tenny, Vice President for Fiscal Affairs in which he launched a blistering attack on the striking faculty and staff and their leadership, describing them as “headless chicken”. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19ArXkt9CJ/
In fact, Tenny described the latest strike action by the UL faculty and staff as “illegal”. UL Authorities Liken Faculty-Staff Leadership To “Headless Chicken” – News Public Trust
Tenny;s belittling outburst came hard on the heels of an emergency crisis talks President Joseph Nyuma Boakai decided to hold with the UL Administration of Dr. Layli Maparyan and the Board of Trustees on the one hand and the leaderships of the striking faculty and staff recently.
As pressure mounted with ULFA/ULSA telling President Boakai that that the removal of Tenny was a must, news emerged on Sunday, August 23, 2026 that the UL Vice President for Fiscal Affairs was taking the exit door.
“Layli Maparyan, UL President has acknowledged the resignation of Lester Tenney as Vice President for Fiscal Affairs, says a brief statement on the University of Liberia LUX FM Radio today, Sunday, August 24, 2026.
It adds: “To continue the University’s operation, President Maparyan has appointed Mr. Togar Gibson as acting VP for Fiscal Affairs.”
The strike at the UL began on July 17, 2026 after an ULFA/ULSA General Assembly spelling out a number of grievances including unsettled Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) benefits, salary disparities, salary arrears for Adjunct faculty, alleged administrative malpractice, poor sanitation and infrastructure and other issues,
Days before President Boakai’s crisis meeting, the Liberian leader expressed serious concern and calling for both the school’s administration and striking faculty and staff to dialogue and resolve the crisis. Latest Crisis At UL Claims Pres. Boakai’s Concern: Not Pleased With Slow Pace Of Renovation, Despite Gov’t “Significant Investment” – News Public Trust
But the recent crisis meeting chaired by the Liberian President managed to have carved out some concrete ways forward, in order to address some of the pressing grievances and improve conditions at the state-owned university.