Ibadan, Nigeria — A delegation of senior Liberian fiscal officials has commenced a weeklong training program in Ibadan, Nigeria, aimed at strengthening the country’s decentralization agenda.
Led by Hon. Anthony G. Myers, Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the delegation is participating in a capacity-building workshop on fiscal decentralization and local government financial management. The training is hosted by the University of Ibadan and runs from May 19 to 26.
Speaking at the opening session, Mr. Myers emphasized the vital connection between financial autonomy and effective decentralization, noting that Liberia’s development agenda depends heavily on empowering local governments with both authority and adequate resources.
“Administrative decentralization without fiscal empowerment is merely performative,” he warned, adding that President Joseph Boakai has consistently prioritized decentralization as a key national policy.
Myers also highlighted the readiness of central institutions such as the Liberia Revenue Authority and the Internal Audit Agency, while stressing the urgent need to build similar capacity at the county level. He encouraged participants to return as trainers, helping to launch a broader national rollout of fiscal decentralization practices.
Describing the initiative as a “strategic step” toward institutional reform, he framed the training as part of Liberia’s broader commitment to South-South cooperation and sustainable public financial management.
In his remarks, University of Ibadan Vice Chancellor, Prof. P.O. Olapegba, urged African countries to reduce dependency on foreign aid and address the root causes of youth emigration. He criticized what he termed a “begging culture” among some African leaders.
“There is no free lunch—even in Freetown,” Prof. Olapegba remarked, warning that excessive reliance on aid weakens national sovereignty and policy independence.
He further challenged African governments to build resilient institutions that retain local talent, questioning the relevance of Western training to Africa’s unique context.
“Harvard and Oxford won’t solve African problems—we must,” he stated, calling for continental unity and the development of homegrown solutions.
The training is expected to bolster Liberia’s institutional capacity to implement fiscal decentralization—a key pillar of its national development strategy under the ARREST Agenda.
