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, Liberia, Gambia, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso. First established in 1990, the Institute is operating from the University of Ibadan (Institute of African Studies)

Today, IFRA-Nigeria promotes excellent, pertinent and cutting-edge ’Made in West Africa’ 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.