By: Julius Konton
In a move underscoring Liberia’s growing commitment to fiscal decentralization and institutional capacity building, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has formally honored Professor A.S.O. Ogunjuyigbe, Provost of the Postgraduate College at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, for his outstanding contribution to strengthening Liberia’s public financial management systems.
The recognition ceremony, held in Monrovia, was attended by the Senior Management Team of the MFDP, alongside officials from the local governments of Nimba, Bong, Grand Bassa, and Margibi counties, four of Liberia’s most economically and administratively significant regions.
The honor acknowledges Professor Ogunjuyigbe’s pivotal role in facilitating the advanced training of nineteen Liberian professionals in Fiscal Decentralization and Financial Management in May 2025 at the University of Ibadan, Africa’s oldest degree-awarding institution, founded in 1948.
Strengthening Liberia’s Decentralization Agenda
Liberia has, over the past decade, intensified efforts to devolve fiscal authority to county and municipal administrations as part of broader governance reforms aimed at improving service delivery, accountability, and inclusive development.
With 15 counties and more than 100 local government structures, fiscal decentralization has become central to Liberia’s post-conflict development strategy.
According to Deputy Finance Minister for Fiscal Management Andrew G. Myers, the 2025 training program addressed critical gaps in budget planning, intergovernmental fiscal transfers, public expenditure management, and local revenue mobilization, areas identified as persistent challenges in multiple public expenditure reviews conducted by international partners.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Finance for Fiscal Management, Andrew G. Myers, praised Professor Ogunjuyigbe for his leadership and academic stewardship, noting that the training program has significantly enhanced the technical competence of Liberian fiscal managers.
“This initiative has directly strengthened Liberia’s institutional capacity at both national and sub-national levels,” Myers said.
“Professor Ogunjuyigbe’s contribution goes beyond training, it is an investment in Liberia’s long-term fiscal sustainability and governance reforms.”
Myers further emphasized that Liberia’s annual national budget now exceeding US$800 million requires strong fiscal discipline and skilled professionals, particularly as county governments assume greater financial responsibilities under decentralization frameworks.
A Growing Regional Academic Partnership
The collaboration between Liberia’s MFDP and the University of Ibadan reflects a broader trend of South-South cooperation in governance and development training across Africa.
The University of Ibadan has trained thousands of public sector professionals from West Africa over the past five decades and remains a leading center for policy-oriented research in economics, public administration, and development planning.
MFDP officials described the partnership as “strategic and transformational,” noting that it reduces reliance on costly overseas training in Europe and North America while promoting regionally relevant policy solutions.
“This relationship strengthens professional bonds between Liberia and Nigeria and demonstrates the power of African institutions supporting African development,” Myers added.
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning indicated that discussions are underway to expand the partnership, including joint research, continuous professional development programs, and future cohorts of Liberian officials to be trained in Nigeria.
As Liberia continues to navigate fiscal pressures, decentralization reforms, and development financing challenges, officials say investments in human capital such as the University of Ibadan partnership remain essential to building resilient public institutions.
