The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), located in Lagos, is a government parastatal under the Ministry of Health. Before NIMR was formally established in 1977, national health research was coordinated by the Medical Research Council of Nigeria (MRCN). After MRCN was dissolved in 1977, NIMR became the main coordinator of health research in the country. 

NIMR's corporate mandate is to conduct research on communicable and non-communicable diseases of public health importance in Nigeria. The institute has five research divisions (Biochemistry, Clinical Sciences, Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Public Health), three non-research divisions, and several support units and research laboratories. 

In 2000, NIMR leadership collectively resolved to reposition the institute to better implement and achieve its mandate. Since then, the major thrusts have been toward sustainable human capacity and infrastructure development. As a result, the institute now has a critical mass of staff with adequate research expertise in relevant disciplines in the clinical and biomedical sciences.  New laboratories have also been established, and existing laboratories have been improved and strengthened. The institute has capacity for basic, applied, and operational research for diseases of public health importance. In line with its mandate, NIMR has been able to carry out several research programs and services that have contributed toward improving health care delivery in the country over the past several years.