Dear All,
We are excited to announce the launch of the WikiHeritage Fellowship, a
transformative initiative aimed at improving access to Nigeria’s historical
records.
Through a strategic collaboration between Wikimedia UG Nigeria (registered
as Wikimedia Nigeria Foundation), the Young Innovation Leaders (YIL)
Initiative, and the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), this
fellowship seeks to unearth, digitise, and publish rare archival documents
as open knowledge resources on platforms like Wikipedia.
We designed this idea to preserve and digitise hundreds of historical
records, including manuscripts, letters, maps, and public documents that
have remained largely inaccessible to the public. The goal is to ensure
that Nigerian history is no longer confined to physical vaults but is made
openly available and accessible to students, educators, researchers, and
the global public.
*The partnership brings together:*
• Wikimedia Nigeria Foundation contributes its expertise in free knowledge
dissemination and a robust volunteer community to enrich Wikipedia and its
sister projects with verified historical content.
• The Young Innovation Leaders (YIL) Initiative provides leadership
development, youth engagement, and digital literacy training.
• The Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) offers access to
rare archival resources and provides institutional support for their proper
digitisation and preservation.
This collaboration is also strategically aimed at making pre-Internet
archival resources available in digital formats, enabling them to be used
as citable, verifiable sources to enhance the quality and depth of
historical content about Lagos and Nigeria on Wikipedia and similar
knowledge platforms.
"We believe that our history should not be hidden in vaults. This project
is about preserving our heritage and making it openly available,
responsibly and accurately," said Olushola Olaniyan, President of the
Wikimedia Nigeria Foundation.
The project emerged as a strategic response to the critical lack of
authoritative and reliable sources supporting the online documentation of
Nigeria's history. It aims to fill the gap in verifiable information and
promote balanced storytelling about the country's past. The project will
premiere in Lagos, widely regarded as one of Nigeria's most culturally
rich, technologically advanced, and administratively structured states,
making it an ideal starting point for this ambitious undertaking.
*Key Highlights of the Project*
• Digitisation of Archival Records: Hundreds of rare historical documents
will be digitised and preserved for unrestricted public use.
• Wikipedia Content Enrichment: Primary source materials will be integrated
into Wikipedia articles to enhance the accuracy and depth of information.
• Community Engagement: Volunteers will participate in public edit-a-thons
and workshops to gain skills in historical documentation and digital
preservation.
• Youth Empowerment: Young journalists and fellows will benefit from a
series of training programs in Wikipedia editing, leadership, and archival
research.
*Fellowship Program Launch*
As part of this initiative, the organising partners are pleased to announce
the launch of a Fellowship Program, which will run from June 18 to June 30,
2025. The fellowship will train selected participants in archival research,
leadership, and digital documentation, preparing them to serve as
custodians of Nigeria's historical legacy.
A Model for National Impact
This collaboration is expected to serve as a model for future
public-private knowledge-sharing partnerships, aligning with broader goals
around open data, digital citizenship, and cultural preservation. By
empowering communities and expanding access to historical information, the
initiative is poised to leave a lasting impact on how Nigeria's history is
preserved, taught, and shared.
*Application Time-Line*
Application Launch: 18 June 2025
Application Close: 30 June 2025
Program Start: July 2025
Applicants can apply using the registration link below:
https://forms.gle/ErajYsEuGynJj9TAA
To learn more about the project, visit the link to its meta page below :
https://w.wiki/EVvh
Warm regards,
Rhoda James
On behalf of the WikiHeritage Organising Team
Dear Wikimedians,
We are pleased to invite you to an inspiring session in the *Feminism and
Folklore International Campaign Advocacy Series* titled:
*🎙️ Documenting Indigenous Women’s Wisdom: The Role of Grandmothers and
Elders*
🗓 *Friday, June 20, 2025*
⏰ *4:00 PM UTC*
🌍 *Online – Zoom link
<https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86470824823?pwd=s7ruwuxrradtJNcZLVT9EyClb8g7ho.1>*
👤 *Facilitator: Obiageli Ezeilo (Wiki for Senior Citizens Network)*
Join us as we explore how the oral teachings of grandmothers and elders
preserve cultural heritage and influence today’s feminist movements. Learn
how to document these narratives using Wikimedia platforms!
🔗 *Event Page & Details:*
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:Documenting_Indigenous_Women%E2%80%99…
This session includes:
✔️ A keynote presentation
✔️ Story-sharing interactive segment
✔️ Q&A + tools for documenting women’s wisdom on Wikimedia
We hope to see you there!
*On behalf of the Wiki Loves Folklore International Team*
Dear Wikimedians,
Greetings from Wikimania 2025 COT,
We are excited to inform you that registration for Wikimania 2025 is now
officially open! We encourage you to register now for the in-person or
virtual event. Register for the in-person event by 13 July or while places
last. Register for the online event anytime.
Register here: https://wikimania.wikimedia.org/wiki/2025:Registration and
check out our latest Diff blog
<https://diff.wikimedia.org/2025/05/27/register-now-to-attend-wikimania-nair…>
for more information.
For any support, feel free to contact the COT via email at
wikimania(a)wikimedia.org
We look forward to seeing you all in Nairobi.
Kind regards,
Terry Boke
Communications Lead - Wikimania 2025
*Happy New Week, African Wikimedians!*
EN: We’re excited to invite you to the *June edition of the African
Wikipedian Alliance (AWA) Meetups* — a great opportunity to learn, connect,
and grow your skills within the Wikimedia movement. See details below for
our *Anglophone* and *Francophone* sessions:
FR: Nous sommes ravis de vous inviter à l’édition de *juin des rencontres
de l’African Wikipedian Alliance (AWA)* — une excellente occasion
d’apprendre, de se connecter et de développer vos compétences au sein du
mouvement Wikimedia. Retrouvez ci-dessous les détails de nos sessions
anglophone et francophone :
*Anglophone Meetup (Today!)*
Trainer: Blessing Linason (Community Manager, African & Proud)
Topic: Meta-Wiki what it is and why it matters?
Objective: To learn how Meta-Wiki can streamline project coordination and
showcase your work across Wikimedia.
Time: Today at 1:00 PM UTC (convert to your local time
<https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/>)
➡️ Sign up to secure your spot and receive a calendar reminder (essential!):
https://forms.gle/9TSn67E4eNJa5mh59
Zoom link
<https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84911551309?pwd=MtHbcl6abe9HRBJz73z81wHrqbApuY.1>
to connect directly to the call.
*Rencontre mensuelle francophone de l’AWA – Juin*
Formatrice : Alexandra TCHUILEU, Présidente (Wikimédiens du Cameroun User
Group)
Thème : Wikidata pour les débutants
Objectif : Vous initier à la contribution sur Wikidata en comprenant sa
structure, afin que vous puissiez ajouter, modifier et améliorer les
données en toute confiance.
Date : Vendredi 20 juin
Heure : 13h00 UTC (à convertir selon votre fuseau horaire local
<https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/>)
➡️ Inscrivez-vous pour réserver votre place et recevoir un rappel dans
votre calendrier (essentiel !) :https://forms.gle/H4vs7yGFc3gpjasz6
See you there!
Bukola James <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Bukky658>
Certified Librarian| Infoprenuer| Open Knowledge Advocate
Community Coordinator, African Wikipedian Alliance
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/African_Wikipedian_Alliance>
Hello everyone,
It's about to go down and we can't wait to welcome you onboard.
Join us in the next 30 minutes for an interactive session into the latest
innovations transforming how projects are planned, executed, and measured.
📅 *Date*: Today, 14th June 2025
🕔 *Time*: 2:00 PM UTC
📍 *Location*: Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85657138788
*Guest Trainer*: Barakat Adegboye
#AWWSkillUpWorkshop #ProjectManagement #Empowerment #CapacityBuilding
#Representation #DigitalSkills
Best regards,
----------------------
Oluwapelumi Aina
Training Coordinator
Africa Wiki Women
Dear Wikimedians,
Are you ready to elevate your project management skills and be on top of
your game in today’s fast-paced digital world?
Join Africa Wiki Women for an interactive session into the innovations
transforming how projects are planned, executed, and measured.
📅 *Date*: Saturday, 14th June 2025
🕔 *Time*: 2:00 PM UTC
🔗 *Register on the Event Page*:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:2025_AWW_Skill_Up_Workshop/JUNE
📍 *Location*: *Zoom link *https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85657138788
*Guest Trainer*: Barakat Adegboye; *Project Officer at Wikimedia User Group
Nigeria.*
*What to expect:*
- Foundational principles of digital project management.
- Essential digital tools that streamline workflows, and enhance
productivity.
- Organizational and online collaboration strategies to foster team
synergy, maintain clear communication, and keep tasks on track.
- Beginner-friendly mini-project plan.
Register today and stand a chance to develop new skills that will elevate
your impact.
Kind regards,
--------------------
Oluwapelumi Aina,
Training Coordinator
Africa Wiki Women <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Africa_Wiki_Women>.
Hi everyone,
(Sorry for cross-posting!)
We’re thrilled to announce that submissions are now open for both the GLAM Wiki Conference 2025 Scholarship Applications and the Call for Program Proposals!
This milestone is the result of dedicated work by both the Scholarship and Program Committees, as well as the Core Organizing Team.
This year’s conference theme is:
Resilience: Shaping the Future Through Community and Openness
This theme is grounded in three key aims: 1) Building the Future, 2) Community Resilience, and 3) Digital Resilience.
We believe this is a timely and meaningful theme — one that resonates deeply across the global open movement and within every part of the Wikimedia community.
You can find full details, including scholarship criteria and program tracks, on the Meta-Wiki event page.
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/GLAM_Wiki_2025
Deadlines:
Scholarship Application: 7 June
Program Call-for-Proposals: 15 June
Save the date!
The conference will take place 30 October – 1 November 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal. Stay tuned for updates on registration, opening later in June 2025.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Lisbon — and we look forward to your ideas, energy, and participation in shaping a resilient future together.
Kind regards,
The GLAM Wiki 2025 Organizing Team