Monrovia, Liberia – After an internal inquiry revealed that Dorr Cooper, the Inspector General at the Ministry of Commerce, had gained his academic qualifications unlawfully, the University of Liberia revoked his degree. The ruling has led to calls from academics and civil society organizations for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to fire Cooper from his government job.
Cooper obtained a degree in public administration by using the name of a deceased student, according to the university’s inquiry. The inquiry committee’s conclusions state that Cooper reportedly paid university staff $10,000 to help carry out the fraudulent scheme. These concerns were raised ahead of the university’s September 10, 2024, graduation ceremony.
Cooper expressed disapproval of the university’s ruling, claiming that its management handled the matter improperly and did not adhere to the correct protocols. Cooper expressed dissatisfaction in an interview with a local media, saying he heard about the revocating of his degree through social media rather than the university.
“The University of Liberia never told me. Like everyone else, I saw it on social media.” Additionally, he said that he was not given a chance to clarify his position prior to the decision being made.
Cooper stated that he is speaking with legal professionals and is thinking of bringing a lawsuit against the university in reaction to its decision. Cooper maintains that his academic qualifications are valid in the face of growing criticism and contends that the institution handled the situation incorrectly.
Long-standing concerns over Cooper’s educational background have been resurrected by the affair. Some Nimba County people contend that he fulfilled the academic requirements for high school, but others disagree. Cooper has served in a number of official roles in spite of these disagreements, including mayor of Ganta and superintendent of Nimba County.
The pressure on President Boakai to fire Cooper has increased due to the efforts of civil society organizations and activists. The government’s slow response was challenged by prominent advocate Anderson Miamen. In an October 2024 social media post, Miamen reminded the President that Cooper was found guilty of academic fraud by the institution after its investigation was completed. He said that Cooper’s continuing public service set a detrimental precedent for the administration’s dedication to accountability and openness.
