I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to have attended the first-ever Wiki Conference in Nigeria, made even more special by receiving a scholarship to participate. This milestone event, held in Abuja, brought together the Nigerian Wikimedia community in an incredible way, and I was honored to play several roles in its success.
I served as the secretariat for the conference’s Core Organizing Team (COT) with the responsibility of scheduling meetings and recording minutes during planning meetings, ensuring every detail was captured. But one of my proudest moments was leading the Nigeria Wikimedia Community Distinguished Awards planning committee, culminating in a memorable Awards Night on the opening day of the conference. Seeing the hard work of the community recognized was truly fulfilling, and I had the privilege of presenting a special recognition to the Top MOER Contributor of the Year as the project lead for the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria (WUGN)‘s Monthly Outstanding Editors Recognition (MOER) Project.
Day two of the conference brought even more exciting opportunities. I was thrilled to participate in a panel discussion on “Peer Learning from the Let’s Connect Lens,” where I shared my experiences as the project lead for the Let’s Connect Peer Learning Program in Kwara. Later that day, I presented my research titled “Reimagining Lagos’ Cultural Heritage: Initial Findings from the Wiki Imagine Lagos Project – A Wikipedian in Residence Experience.” As the Wikimedian-in-Residence for the Wiki Imagine Lagos Project, this initiative, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, aims to document the rich heritage of Lagos through Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.
The evening wrapped up with a fascinating tour of Abuja, where we visited Katampe Hill, the center point of Nigeria. It was a moment to pause and appreciate the beauty and significance of our nation.
Climbing the Katampe Hills
On the final day, I immersed myself in a series of thought-provoking breakout sessions and panel discussions, including Fostering Diversity and Inclusion on the English Wikipedia, The Story Behind Train the Trainers Nigeria, and Our Nigeria, Our Future. These conversations left me inspired by the collective vision we all share for Nigeria’s representation on the global Wikimedia platforms.
To top it all off, I received a special recognition, alongside other volunteers, from the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria (WUGN) Chairman, who also chaired the conference, for our contributions to its success. I’m truly humbled by the recognition and proud to have played a part in shaping this historic event.
From the Awards Night to the breakout sessions and panel discussions, Wiki Conference Nigeria 2024 was an experience filled with learning, collaboration, and community. I am excited to continue contributing to the Wikimedia movement in Nigeria, as we all work towards documenting our stories and shaping our digital future.
Can you help us translate this article?
In order for this article to reach as many people as possible we would like your help. Can you translate this article to get the message out?
Start translation