Research institutes are integral parts of learning and advanced research in a country. If you are interested in knowing all the research institutes in Nigeria then this article is for you. In this article, we will be providing you with a full list of all the research institutes in Nigeria.

Are you among those asking questions like, ‘What is a research institute? What does a research institute do? Is a university a research institute? How many research institutes are there in Nigeria?

In fact, I saw the need to put out this article after someone asked me about the functions of a research institute. So if you are among those who need answers to these questions and more, then this article is for you.

What is a research institute?

A research institute is an establishment or institution founded for carrying out research.

These institutes may specialize in Pure research, applied research or natural science research.

Moreover, there are many research institutes in the field of social sciences, notably for sociological and archival/historical research purposes.

Let us digress a bit…

Pure Research

Pure research, also called Basic research or fundamental research is a type of scientific research aimed at developing scientific theories for better comprehension and prognostication of natural or other events.

Applied Research

Applied research is the practical application of science. It makes use of gathered theories, knowledge, methods, and techniques, for a specific purpose.

Natural science Research

Natural science is a branch of science concerned with the description, prediction, and understanding of natural phenomena.

The main purpose of Research Institutes in Nigeria is to carry out Research. 

Therefore, it is safe to say that research institutes in Nigeria develop and enhances the knowledge available about the specific research projects.

Furthermore, they expand the opportunities of how to employ that knowledge to the advantage the country and clients; as the case may be. .

List of Research Institutes in Nigeria

According to this list, they are about 69 notable research institutes scattered across different parts of Nigeria.

Just as we mentioned earlier, all these institutions are set up to enhance the available information and research on specific fields.

From the list, you will realize that research institutes differ and their activities are also distinguished according to their mission and objectives.

List of Research institutes in Nigeria (in alphabetical order)

1. Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) located in Mabushi Abuja
2. Agricultural Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), located in Ilorin
3. Animal Health Research Institute
4. Animal Production, Fisheries and Oceanography Research Institutes
5. Arable Crops Research Institutes
6. Center for Energy Research and Development
7. Centre for Energy Research and Training
8. Centre for Management Development
9. Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, located in Ibadan
10. Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN)
11. Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, located at New Bussa, Niger state
12. Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), located at Oshodi in Lagos state
13. Federal Ministry of Agriculture
14. Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST)
15. Federal Ministry of Water Resources
16. Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan
17. Forestry, Horticulture and Tree Crops Research Institutes
18. Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training
19. Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR)
20. Institute of Agricultural Research & Extension Services, ABU, Zaria
21. Institute of Agricultural Research & Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan
22. Institute of Archaeology and Museum Studies
23. Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON)
24. Institute of Child Health
25. Institute of human virology
26. Institute of Operations Research of Nigeria (INFORN)
27. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
28. International Livestock Research Institute
29. Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI)
30. Medical research institutes in Nigeria‎
31. National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
32. National Agency for Science & Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), located in Abuja
33. National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (AERLS)
34. National Animal Production Research Institute located in Zaria
35. National Center for Agricultural Mechanization
36. National Center for Energy Research and Development
37. National Center for Technology Management
38. National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB)
39. National centre for Technology Management
40. National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI)
41. National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT)
42. National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD)
43. National Institute of Freshwater Fisheries Research, New Bussa
44. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD)
45. National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT)
46. National Root Crops Research Institute
47. National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)
48. National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) located at Ikoyi, Lagos
49. Nigeria Institute of Science Laboratory (NISLT)
50. Nigerian Academy of Science
51. Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI)
52. Nigerian Educational Research Council
53. Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR)
54. Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR)
55. Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR)
56. Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology
57. Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR)
58. Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research
59. Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI)
60. Projects Development Institute (PRODA)
61. Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC)
62. Research Institutes organisations in Nigeria
63. Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN)
64. Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI-E)
65. Sheda Science and Technology Complex
66. Social Sciences Academy of Nigeria
67. Sokoto Energy Research Centre (SERC)
68. The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research
69. Unilorin Sugar Research Institute (USRI)

Are research institutes and research centers the same?

The answer to this question is NO. Although there maybe some similarities between the two bodies. There are not the same.

Research centres are supervised by universities, colleges and other organizational bodies where research are carried out and the researches are needed to aid learning.

On the other hand, Research Institutes in Nigeria are institutions that are nearly independent or self-governing.

Although they may depend on the government or other organizations for resources and funding, they strive to maintain this independence that will enable them to exercise their freedom in carrying out a variety of research.

Are research institutes the same as a university?

Universities specialize in advanced research-based teaching. It is the top-ranking learning institution at a tertiary level and it offers further studies. While an institute specializes deeply on research.

However, a University can be a research university if it is committed to research as a focal part of its mission.

We hope this article was helpful. Also, check our other post on a list of Nigerian Universities that offer veterinary medicine.