APLORI aims to provide a platform for Nigerian and international scientists to conduct research on animal and plant ecology in Nigeria. The research forms an integral part of the education of local MSc students, and comprises all aspects of modern ecology. Current projects undertaken at APLORI range from determining the population biology and behavioural ecology of the range-restricted endemic Rock Firefinch, winter ecology of Palearctic migrants, to the biodiversity of farmland birds in relation to land use.

Constant Effort Site ringing (CES) is used in a long-term project aimed at estimating the survival rates of African birds. Each bird is fitted with a standard aluminium ring and a unique combination of colour-rings. This makes it possible to identify birds in the field without having to recapture them. The ringing scheme also provides useful knowledge on the dispersal and migration of birds, as well as a means of determining the timing and duration of moult for different species.