African Institute for Research Advancement & Innovation

Advancing research excellence through mentorship, training, and collaboration.

AIRA Africa is a non-profit research institute headquartered in Kano, Nigeria — building the capacity of students, early-career researchers, and professionals to solve Africa's health, agricultural, technological, and societal challenges.

AIRA Africa official emblem — the African continent rendered as a connected research network

Who We Are

A non-profit institute, built in Africa, for Africa.

The African Institute for Research Advancement & Innovation (AIRA Africa) is a registered non-profit organization engaged in research development, mentorship, and innovation. We design and implement research training programs, workshops, and collaborative projects — and we organize conferences and seminars that connect African researchers to the world.

  • Ethical, interdisciplinary, and globally competitive research
  • Structured mentorship for the next generation of African scholars
  • Partnerships with universities, agencies, and international organizations
Our Story —
2026Founded in Kano, Nigeria
RC 9646490CAC-registered non-profit
5Research focus areas
100%Non-profit, limited by guarantee

Core Areas of Focus

Five domains, one interdisciplinary mission.

AIRA Africa operates across multiple research domains to promote interdisciplinary research advancement and innovation.

Placeholder for a photo of an AIRA Africa mentorship or training session

What We Do

Programs that turn potential into research capacity.

From structured research mentorship and fellowships to capacity-building workshops, academic bootcamps, conferences, and collaborative innovation projects — our programs meet researchers where they are, online first and on-site as we grow.

  • Research mentorship & training programs
  • Fellowships & internships for early-career researchers
  • Workshops, bootcamps, conferences & symposiums
  • Collaborative research & innovation initiatives
All Programs —

Leadership

Guided by researchers.

AIRA Africa is led by practicing researchers and professionals — people who live the work the Institute exists to advance.

Portrait of Abdulrazaq Abdulrazaq Zubair

Abdulrazaq A. Zubair

Founder & Executive Director

MRI specialist radiographer, educator, and researcher with over nine years across clinical radiography, MRI, ultrasound, and CT — currently pursuing a PhD in Medical Radiography at Bayero University Kano.

Portrait of Dr. Tahir Ahmad

Dr. Tahir Ahmad

Director, Agriculture & Food Systems

Agricultural entrepreneur, researcher, and mentor — CEO of Real Agro and Integrated Services, PhD from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and an active farmer and agribusiness innovator.

Placeholder portrait for Abdullahi Muhammad Zubairu

Abdullahi M. Zubairu

Company Secretary

Responsible for corporate governance, statutory records, and regulatory compliance, and for supporting the Board in the orderly administration of the Institute's affairs.

Full Leadership Profiles —

"We exist so that the next generation of African researchers never has to choose between staying home and doing world-class research."

From the founding objectives of AIRA Africa

In Collaboration With

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Partner with AIRA Africa

Universities, research institutions, government agencies, funders, and volunteers — there is a place for you in this mission.