On 23 July 2026, IFRA-Nigeria, in collaboration with Géo-Cités (CRIA) and the Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Ibadan, hosted the workshop “Sensitive and Minority Archives: Selection, Digitization and Archiving”. The workshop brought together researchers and practitioners to reflect on how archives are created, selected, preserved, digitized and reinterpreted, with particular attention to minority memories, community knowledge and alternative forms of archiving.
The workshop was part of the ongoing research project “Archiving and Digitizing African Futures: Minority Memories and Heritage,” a collaborative initiative involving IFRA-Nigeria, History Workshop at Wits University (South Africa), Institut des Humanités Numériques africaines de l’Université de Yaoundé (Cameroun), Géo-cités and Prodig research units (Paris, France) and the History Department at the King’s College London (UK).
From 13 - 16 April 2026, IFRA-Nigeria convened a multidisciplinary masterclass on vernacular architecture, bringing together scholars in architecture, history, sociology, urban geography and ethnography. The session explored how Nigeria’s built environment not only shelters life but also reflects cultural adaptation, social transformation and acts of resistance.
At the heart of the discussions was a shared understanding: vernacular architecture is far more than a collection of structures. It is a living archive of memory, identity and everyday practice. Often described as an “indigenous” science of building, it draws on local materials and techniques, as well as an accumulated knowledge, evolving through experimentation and engagement with changing environments. As architectural historian Paul Oliver famously observed, it is “a building of people, made by the people.”
Between 9 and 12 February, IFRA-Nigeria held a four-day workshop on sensitive research methods, which are methods calling upon a variety of senses in order to access and share reality as it is lived and experienced. It is an approach that is deeply concerned with being ethical and collaborative throughout the fieldwork. This workshop, led by IFRA-Nigeria’s director and deputy director, Dr Pauline Guinard and Dr Delphine Manetta, was punctuated by interventions from Jean-Fidèle Ananou, photographer, Dr Altaïr Despres, writer and researcher, and sound artist Oluwaseyi Eniayo. Numerous field practices allowed students to hone their new skills.
On 11, 13 and 16 June, IFRA-Nigeria organized a practical research workshop titled “Observe, survey, map and draw relations with nature(s) in Ibadan Campus.” Its goal: introduce 20 master’s students to original methods of doing research, in particular anthropology and urbanism, and, most of all, to give them the opportunity to practice them within the campus.
Three researchers hosted this workshop: Dr François Nowakowski (National School of Architecture Strasbourg, France), Professor Aderemi Suleiman Ajala (University of Ibadan) and Dr Barbara Morovich (director of IFRA-Nigeria).
Workshop - Alternative Archives? Methods & Objectives : Conversations between Nigeria & South Africa
Between 8 and 9 April, IFAS-Research in collaboration with IFRA-Nigeria, the History Workshop of Witwatersrand University, the University of Lille and the Worker's Museum of Johannesburg, organized a two-day workshop on the theme "Alternative Archives: Methods and objectives. Conversations between South Africa and Nigeria". This event brought together a diverse group of voices to engage in meaningful discussions about archives—both digital and non-digital—and their role in shaping history. More specifically, they focused on how to preserve non-institutional archives, non-colonial, and recovering forgotten or suppressed narratives.
Three of IFRA-Nigeria's collaborators also shared their work on archival preservation. Olushola Patrick Babalola, our documentalist and archivist, presented his efforts in training archivists in new techniques, alongside his own digitisation projects. In addition, two coordinators of our Alternative Archives Project highlighted their preservation initiatives, both within the project framework and through their individual research. Femi Olanrewaju showcased his work on preserving traditional architecture in Ibadan, while Dr Sa'eed Husaini discussed his project focused on the digitisation of militant archives. Scroll below to see pictures of this great event!
Visit the IFAS website to see the full program and the complete list of speakers.
On 18 March, IFRA-Nigeria hosted the literary translator Mona de Pracontal for a one-of-a-kind event for IFRA-Nigeria: a translation workshop! Students and French-speaking professionals got to enjoy Mona's extensive insights in translation, based on her experience translating many authors into French, including many of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's books and most recently The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma. The workshop gave the participants hands-on French into English translation experience, and introduced them to French literature through the graphic novel Broderies of French-Iranian writer Marjane Satrapi.
Click below to read a more detailed account of the workshop and see pictures of this event!
On 28 February 2025, a workshop on "Digital transformation and integration of archival materials" was organized by IFRA Nigeria. The training workshop was carried out by an archivist from IFRA Nigeria, Mr Shola Babalola, supported by an archivist from the National Archives of Ibadan, Mr Austin Otigbu.
Twenty professionals were selected from different information centers like Libraries, Archives and Museums to participate.
The purpose of the workshop was to introduce and discuss the significance of transforming paper-based archival materials to digital contents and to look at the possibilities of integrating archival materials from different institutions into a specific platform for easy retrieval of information. The workshop also aimed at collaborating and creating an information sharing map where archival resources could be access and shared remotely.
The participants had the opportunity to explore some of IFRA's archival resources and practice using the Institute's equipments. This event was a great moment of learning and capacity-building for Nigerian professionals working on archive and digitization.
Click below to see some pictures of the event!
Between the 6th and 7th of July 2023 a workshop on Sensory Ethnography was organised by Olúwatóbilóba Adéwùnmí and Salomé Isibhenmen Okoekpen (two P.h.D students and IFRA research fellows) on the 6th and 7th of July 2023 at the Institute of African Studies and IFRA. The purpose of the workshop was to introduce and discuss the significance of different senses in the production of ethnographic data, explore methodologies for sensory data collection and analysis, and examine the possibilities of disseminating research to a wider audience.
As part of its programme on Digital Humanities and thanks to the funding of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IFRA-Nigeria has launched a new research project on the religious architectural heritage of Ibadan. Drawing from the fields of Digital Humanities, Architecture and the Socio-anthropology of religion, the objective is to map out, research and analyse the rich history and diverse aesthetics of all religious buildings in the capital of Oyo State. This project will run until April 2024.
A workshop gathering academics and professionals with a specific interest in the topic took place on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 October 2022. The objective was to sum-up the existing research and literature on the topic and map out key future topics of research and engagement. The workshop was well-attended, with more than 35 people physically present at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan and up to a dozen online.
On May 31st 2022, IFRA-Nigeria offered a workshop on "How to apply for post-doc and academic positions in Europe" for its Fellows. During this workshop, Dr Vincent Hiribarren shared his best practices to apply for scholarships, post-doc and academic positions in Europe.
IFRA-Nigeria is sponsoring the digitalisation of some Benin songs as aspects of the immaterial cultural heritage of Benin people in Edo state. This project will be executed by a group of interns at the Institute for Benin Studies, Benin City. On December 28th and 29th, 2021 Dr Vincent Hiribarren took part to a training session in Digital Humanities for the Insitute's staff.
The ADEFSA Natural Language Processing (NLP) Bootcamp was run by IFRA from the 8th to the 11th of November, as part of a programme to support the development of French higher education in Africa (ADESFA) financed by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE). ADEFSA has supported the University Paris Nanterre to help the University of Ibadan to set up a Masters Degree in Natural Language Processing.
As part of the research programme Hidden Narratives on Transnational Organised Crime in West Africa a research training programme was organised on the theme: “Challenges of Fieldwork: Data Collection in Sensitive Situations”. A six days masterclass took place at the Nigerian Academy of Letters, University of Ibadan from September 13th to 19th, 2021.
In continuation of our programmes on Digital Humanities, IFRA-Nigeria organized a workshop on filming for research in social sciences and the humanities. The workshop took place at the Nigerian Academy of Letters, University of Ibadan for three days, from August 25th to 27th.
On Wed 15 September from 2pm to 4pm, Dr Vincent Hiribarren took part in a workshop on the theme "Historical methdology and Curriculum Development", organised by Dr Jimoh Mufutau Oluwasegun, department of History and International Studies, Federal University of Birnin-Kebbi.
In continuation of our programmes on Digital Humanities, IFRA-Nigeria is organizing a workshop on filming for research in social sciences and humanities. The workshop took at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan for three days, from August 25th to 27th.
Applications are closed.
FRA-NIGERIA ONLINE WORKSHOPS PROGRAMME
As you may know, in accordance with the latest government statement regarding measures to contain the COVID-19 virus, IFRA-Nigeria's offices are closed until further notice, library included. However, IFRA’s team has come up with alternative solutions to continue its training activities.
IFRA-NIGERIA ONLINE WORKSHOPS PROGRAMME
As you may know, in accordance with the latest government statement regarding measures to contain the COVID-19 virus, IFRA-Nigeria's offices are closed until further notice, library included. However, IFRA’s team has come up with alternative solutions to continue its training activities.
IFRA-NIGERIA ONLINE WORKSHOPS PROGRAMME
As you may know, in accordance with the latest government statement regarding measures to contain the COVID-19 virus, IFRA-Nigeria's offices are closed until further notice, library included. However, IFRA’s team has come up with alternative solutions to continue its training activities.
IFRA-NIGERIA ONLINE WORKSHOPS PROGRAMME
As you may know, in accordance with the latest government statement regarding measures to contain the COVID-19 virus, IFRA-Nigeria's offices are closed until further notice, library included. However, IFRA’s team has come up with alternative solutions to continue its training activities.
IFRA-NIGERIA ONLINE WORKSHOPS PROGRAMME
As you may know, in accordance with the latest government statement regarding measures to contain the COVID-19 virus, IFRA-Nigeria's offices are closed until further notice, library included. However, IFRA’s team has come up with alternative solutions to continue its training activities.
IFRA-NIGERIA ONLINE WORKSHOPS PROGRAMME
As you may know, in accordance with the latest government statement regarding measures to contain the COVID-19 virus, IFRA-Nigeria's offices are closed until further notice, library included. However, IFRA’s team has come up with alternative solutions to continue its training activities.
IFRA-NIGERIA ONLINE WORKSHOPS PROGRAMME
As you may know, in accordance with the latest government statement regarding measures to contain the COVID-19 virus, IFRA-Nigeria's offices are closed until further notice, library included. However, IFRA’s team has come up with alternative solutions to continue its training activities.
IFRA-NIGERIA ONLINE WORKSHOPS PROGRAMME
As you may know, in accordance with the latest government statement regarding measures to contain the COVID-19 virus, IFRA-Nigeria's offices are closed until further notice, library included. However, IFRA’s team has come up with alternative solutions to continue its training activities.
IFRA-NIGERIA ONLINE WORKSHOPS PROGRAMME
As you may know, in accordance with the latest government statement regarding measures to contain the COVID-19 virus, IFRA-Nigeria's offices are closed until further notice, library included. However, IFRA’s team has come up with alternative solutions to continue its training activities.