Dorothy Njeuma, went to Brown University in the United States from (1962–1966), She graduated with a degree in Biology and later earned a PhD in Zoology from University College London (1966–1970) — one of the first Cameroonian women to reach that academic height.
By The Independentist
Early Life and Education
Born Dorothy Limunga Effange in June 1943 in British Southern Cameroons, she grew up in an era when girls in Cameroon had little or no access to secondary education. Determined to succeed, she pursued her schooling across borders at Queen’s School, Enugu (1955–1962) in Nigeria.
Her brilliance earned her an African Scholarship Programme for American Universities award, which took her to Brown University (1962–1966) in the United States. She graduated with a degree in Biology and later earned a PhD in Zoology from University College London (1966–1970) — one of the first Cameroonian women to reach that academic height. At the time, she was celebrated as a trailblazer and an inspiration for young women.
Academic Career
From 1970 to 1975, Njeuma served as Associate Professor of Genetics and Embryology at the Federal University of Yaoundé. Her scholarship and international credentials stood out at a time when few Cameroonian women occupied such positions.
Later, she became a central figure in higher education administration. As Director General of the Buea University Centre (1988–1993) and then the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buea (1993–2005), she helped shape the institution into a recognized university. She subsequently served as Rector of the University of Yaoundé I (2005–2008).
Supporters credit her with institutional reforms and with opening opportunities for young scholars, particularly women. She also played a role in introducing the GCE examinations, a reform that gave Cameroonian students an internationally recognized qualification.
But critics argue her record was overshadowed by regime loyalty. Under her leadership, universities were marked by corruption, political interference, and suppression of student dissent — issues that mirrored the dysfunction of the state she served.
Political Career
Njeuma entered politics early, serving as Vice Minister of National Education (1975–1985) and later as Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Scientific and Technical Research (1986–1988). These roles deepened her ties to the Biya government and secured her place within the ruling establishment.
Her most controversial role came in 2009, when she was appointed to the Electoral Board of ELECAM (Elections Cameroon). The body was meant to guarantee free and fair elections, yet has been widely criticized as an instrument of regime control.
In the recent election scandal, she was reportedly instrumental in ensuring that Professor Maurice Kamto’s candidacy was sidelined. The fear within the regime was clear: Kamto’s popularity risked driving high voter turnout and making fraud more difficult to execute. By blocking him, ELECAM — with Njeuma as a key figure — preserved the Biya system at the expense of democratic choice.
A Legacy of Paradox
Dorothy Njeuma’s life is one of paradox. She was a pioneer of women’s education, a scientist of international standing, and an administrator who left her mark on Cameroon’s universities. For that, she deserves recognition.
Yet those achievements are clouded by her long loyalty to a regime that thrives on manipulation and repression. Many of her former students retire into poverty without jobs, pensions, or support, while she continues to occupy state appointments half a century after her rise.
For admirers, she remains a symbol of what women can achieve in a patriarchal society. For critics, she is a cautionary tale — a brilliant mind that chose comfort over courage, becoming part of the park of Biya’s cowards.
Editorial Note: The Larger Lesson
Dorothy Njeuma’s trajectory is not unique. Across Africa, intellectuals and academics who once embodied independence have too often traded their voices for patronage. Authoritarian regimes depend on such figures: respected scholars who lend legitimacy while the system quietly robs citizens of choice and dignity.
Her story is therefore bigger than her name. It is a warning about the cost of compromise, and a reminder that the true measure of scholarship is not only in classrooms or laboratories, but in the courage to defend truth when it matters most.
The Independentist
