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About IFAIN

The International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria is a research non-profit dedicated to generating locally grounded evidence that protects children and strengthens Africa's health systems.

Who We Are

A Research Institution Built on Evidence

IFAIN was established to address critical gaps in locally generated evidence on infectious diseases affecting Nigerian and African children. Since 2012, we have evolved from a focused research group into a multidisciplinary institution spanning microbiology, molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance, epidemiologic research, and public health capacity development.

We work in close partnership with leading academic institutions, government health bodies, and international funders to produce science that is both globally rigorous and locally relevant.

✓Registered Non-Profit Organisation, Nigeria
✓Founded 2012 · Headquartered in Abuja
✓12+ States with Active Research Presence
✓80+ Peer-Reviewed Publications

Our Mission

"To reduce the burden of infectious diseases in Nigeria by generating high-quality epidemiologic data, strengthening laboratory systems, advancing innovative research and solutions, and building national capacity for health security."

Our Vision

"To be the leading hub for innovative research driving effective and sustainable prevention and control of infectious diseases in Nigeria and Africa."

Our History

Institutional Milestones

From a single founding study to a multi-programme, internationally funded research institution.

2025

BRAVE Project Launch

IFAIN joins the Global Vaccine Data Network's BRAVE project — establishing Nigeria as a key site for Lassa fever vaccine development.

2023

CAMRA & CABSYNC Activation

Two major multi-site studies activated simultaneously, marking IFAIN's largest concurrent research portfolio.

2021

Fleming Fund Country Grant

UK Fleming Fund awards country grant for One Health AMR surveillance — implemented in partnership with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

2018

MHEALTH & AMR Studies Launch

Expansion into mobile health platforms for Sickle Cell Disease surveillance alongside the first AMR characterisation studies in paediatric populations.

2016

REDCap Data Platform Implemented

Secure electronic data capture infrastructure established, enabling auditable, internationally compliant data management across all sites.

2014

First NIH Grant Awarded

CAPIBD study launched in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center — the first major NIH-funded study on community-acquired pneumonia and invasive bacterial disease in Nigerian children.

2012

IFAIN Founded

Prof. Stephen Obaro establishes IFAIN in Abuja to address the critical gap in locally generated evidence on paediatric infectious disease in Nigeria.

Research Focus

Areas of Expertise

Five interconnected research domains contributing to reducing the burden of infectious disease.

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Paediatric Infectious Disease

Bacteraemia, pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis in children under five — with a focus on pathogen identification, treatment outcomes, and prevention strategies.

🧬

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Characterisation of AMR patterns across human, animal, and environmental health sectors using genomic and molecular methods.

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Vaccine Science & Safety

Background adverse event rate studies and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance to support evidence-based immunisation policy.

🏥

Laboratory Strengthening

Capacity building in clinical microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and biosurveillance within Nigeria's health system.

Governance

Independent Oversight, Accountable Management

IFAIN operates under a clear governance framework designed to safeguard scientific integrity, ethical conduct, and institutional accountability.

Board of Trustees

PROF. STEPHEN OBARO

Chief Scientific Officer / Founder

MBBS, FWACP, MRCP(UK), FRCPCH, FAAP, PhD, FIDSA, FPIDSA

DR. AJORITSEDERE AWOSIKA

Chairman of Board

PhD, FWAPCP

HON. JUSTICE YARGATA NIMPAR (JCA)

Trustee

JCA

Akin Fajola

Dr. Akin Fajola

Trustee

MBBS MPH FWACP Dip HSM

Mr. Ademola Adebise

Trustee

B.Sc Computer Science, MBA

Mr. Peter Ameadaji

Trustee

LLB, MBA

Governance Assurance

✓Registered Non-Profit Organisation, Nigeria
✓NHREC & State HREC Ethics Registration
✓Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Compliant
✓Annual Independent External Audit
✓Data Protection & Privacy Policy Enacted
✓REDCap Secure Research Data Systems
Organisational Structure
Board of Trustees & Advisory Oversight
↓
Executive Management
↓
Research Programmes · Operations · Finance · Support

For full team profiles and qualifications visit the Our Team page →

Ethics & Compliance

Ethics-First Research Governance

All IFAIN research is conducted in full accordance with Nigerian national and international ethical, regulatory, and governance standards. Every study undergoes prior approval from appropriately constituted Health Research Ethics Committees.

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Research Ethics

All human subjects research conducted under formal ethics approval with rigorous informed consent and participant protection maintained throughout.

NHREC registered (National Health Research Ethics Committee)
State HREC approvals for all study sites
Informed consent documentation for every participant
GCP training for all research staff
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Data Governance

Comprehensive data management ensuring participant confidentiality, data integrity, and responsible stewardship aligned with international best practice.

REDCap controlled-access electronic data capture
Data sharing and custodianship agreements in place
Participant confidentiality and anonymisation protocols
ISO-aligned laboratory data management
💼

Financial Controls

Sound financial management ensuring transparency, accountability, and appropriate stewardship of all donor and grant funding.

Documented financial procedures and controls
Segregation of duties across financial functions
Annual independent external financial audit
Regular funder reporting and accountability
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Regulatory Compliance

All activities fully documented and traceable, supporting compliance with Nigerian and international regulatory requirements.

NAFDAC compliance for all drug and diagnostic use
SOPs for all laboratory and clinical procedures
WHO and ICH-E6 aligned operations
Traceability and audit-readiness at all times

Partners & Funders

Trusted by Global Collaborators

IFAIN works alongside leading academic institutions, global health organisations, pharmaceutical companies, and government bodies.

Ready to Collaborate?

We welcome enquiries from funders, researchers, ethics bodies, and health organisations worldwide.

Contact IFAIN →Meet the Team