From left to right and back to front: Dr Stefan Le Courant, Joseph Ayodokun, Marie Lureau, Adejoke Rafiat Adetoro, Olaolu Popoola, Dr Vitus Ukoji, Dr Mark Van de Velde, Okosodo Edafe Uzuazor, Olushola Patrick Babalola, Femi Clement Olanrewaju, Dr Abiola Ayodokun, Dr Delphine Manetta, Tobi Gbemi Awe, Dr Pauline Guinard, Emmanuel Udoh.
Who are we?
IFRA-Nigeria is one the 27 Public Research Institutes under the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs based overseas. It was set up to promote research in the social sciences and the humanities, as well as enhance collaborative work between scholars in France, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso. First established in 1990, the Institute is operating from the University of Ibadan (Institute of African Studies)
IFRA-Nigeria promotes excellent, pertinent and cutting-edge ’Made in Nigeria’ research in Social Sciences and the Humanities. IFRA-Nigeria fosters field research and international collaborative research projects. It also runs a residency program and is currently developing its capacity to provide accommodation to scholars.
Our goals
- Promote research in the social sciences and the humanities
- Enhance collaborative work between scholars in France and West Africa
- Subsidizing research programmes
- Granting research allowances to academics and scholars
- Publishing research results
- Holding workshops, seminars and symposia
Over the past few years, the research orientation of IFRA has revolved around problems of democratic transition, urban violence, restructuring of educational systems in Africa, transborder studies, religious networks, urban management and the politics of violence. However, a large sample of disciplines has also been represented, ranging from history to musicology, economics, linguistics, archaeology, etc.
Our research areas
Currently the Institute supports the following research areas.
- Area 1: Beliefs, bodies and health
- Area 2: Citizenship, gender and mobilisation
- Area 3: Dynamics of heritage and environment
- Transversal area: Digital Humanities
Funds
IFRA-Nigeria is jointly funded by the French Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs as well as the French Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). IFRA-Nigeria also actively searches for additional funding to sustain its research activities. Together with IFRA-Nairobi, IFRA-Nigeria is part of the UMIFRE 24, and forms the UAR 3336 (formerly USR 3336) of CNRS.
