The WikiBoost program is an annual program of the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria aimed at enhancing the skills of both new and experienced Wikipedia editors which aligns with the user group’s 2022 movement strategy discussion recommendation, which emphasizes “investment in skills and leadership development” for Nigerian editors. The program sought to expand the Wikimedia community by equipping participants with critical skills for content creation, policy navigation, and community engagement. The 2024 edition was conducted from November 14th to December 21st, 2024, and had over 100 participants in total.
The program was divided into two streams: the Newbie Program and the Experienced Editor Program. The Newbie program was designed to convert already readers of Wikipedia into active editors and equip them with the essential skills to contribute effectively to Wikipedia, it served as an entry point for aspiring editors, helping them understand the principles, tools, and best practices required for successful content creation and community engagement. It started with placing a campaign ad on the central banner notice for readers(only Anonymous Users or logout users) of Wikipedia to register with the phrase: “Did you know that you can contribute to Wikipedia and be part of the Wikipedia editors community in Nigeria. Register here for free to be part of the training!” and in 2024 after running the campaign for 5 days, we had 1,419 registered participants.
while the experienced editors’ program was designed to enhance the skills of existing Wikipedia editors from Nigeria who have at least 2,000 edits on the English Wikipedia and have been a contributors for at least a year. The program provided participants with in-depth knowledge of Wikipedia’s policies, advanced editing tools, and best practices, empowering them to take on leadership roles within the Wikimedia community. We recruited participants through a Google form which was shared on all our platforms for 2 weeks; at the end, 68 editors registered.
Program Objectives
- Introduction to Wikipedia and its impact: Providing participants with a comprehensive overview of Wikipedia, and emphasizing its role in promoting free knowledge and global access to information.
- Basic editing skills and Wikipedia guidelines: Introducing participants to the fundamentals of Wikipedia editing, including how to create and edit articles, add references, and format content, ensuring they understand key Wikipedia guidelines such as notability, neutrality, verifiability, and reliable sourcing.
- Understanding Wikipedia guidelines, principles, and tools: Deepen participants’ understanding of Wikipedia’s foundational principles.
- Strengthening the Wikimedia community: Encourage community growth by onboarding new contributors while simultaneously providing opportunities for existing editors to expand their skills.
- Creating and managing Wikipedia content effectively: Teach participants how to develop well-structured, accurate, and engaging Wikipedia articles.
- Inspiring active contribution: Motivate participants to actively contribute to Wikimedia projects by showcasing the tangible impact of their work. Highlight the importance of their contributions in making knowledge accessible to diverse audiences and the opportunities for personal and professional growth within the Wikimedia community.
- Advanced Tools and Techniques for Experienced Editors: Equip seasoned editors with advanced knowledge and tools to enhance their content creation and management skills. This includes training on bots, templates, and tools for detecting and fixing vandalism or improving article quality.
Program Participation
Newbie Program | Experienced Editors Program | |
Registered | 1,419 | 68 |
Onboarded | 300 | 20 |
Active | 100 | 12 |
Graduands | 40 | 8 |
Program Details
The Newbie Program introduced participants to the Wikimedia ecosystem, focusing on foundational skills and concepts essential for effective contribution. The program’s structure ensured inclusivity and engagement, leading to a significant number of active participants who gained valuable skills and insights.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Wikimedia World: Provided an overview of the Wikimedia movement, its mission, and various projects. Participants learned about the role of Wikipedia in knowledge sharing and how they could contribute.
- Facilitator: Ayokanmi


- Wikipedia Essentials: Focused on the foundational principles of Wikipedia, including neutrality, notability, and verifiability. Participants were introduced to Wikipedia’s editing interface and its basic features.
- Facilitator: SuperSwift


- Creating Articles: Delivered a step-by-step guide on how to create articles. Topics included selecting notable subjects, drafting content, and adhering to Wikipedia’s content policies.
- Facilitator: Princess of Ara


- Running Projects and Campaigns: Taught participants how to organize and execute Wikimedia-related projects and campaigns. Emphasis was placed on planning, outreach, and impact assessment.
- Facilitator: Olaniyan Olushola


Experienced Editors Program
The Experienced Editors Program focused on advanced topics, providing participants with in-depth knowledge and leadership skills.
Topics Covered:
- Navigation english wiki discussions (Wikipedia Policies, Talk pages, Friendly Space Policy and Guidelines Deep Dive): A comprehensive exploration of Wikipedia’s talk pages, community guidelines, Friendly Space Policy, and policy navigation. Participants learned effective ways to engage in constructive discussions and resolve conflicts.
- Facilitator: T Cells


- Understanding Deletion Processes and WikiProject Nigeria: Detailed insights into deletion processes, criteria for deletion, and the significance of WikiProject Nigeria. This session emphasized the importance of maintaining content quality and adhering to community standards.
- Facilitator: Handsome Boy


- Commonly Used Editing Tools and Gaining User Rights: Participants were introduced to advanced editing tools and the process for acquiring user rights, such as rollback and page protection. The session also covered practical applications of these tools to enhance editing efficiency.
- Facilitators: Ibjaja055 and Idoghor Melody



- Advanced Wikipedia Content Creation, Formatting, and Information Gathering: A hands-on session focusing on creating high-quality, well-formatted content. Participants also learned advanced techniques for information sourcing and verifying references.
- Facilitator: Reading Beans



Session Structure and Assessments
- Duration: Each session was two hours long.
- The structure for each session consisted of presentations and hands-on activities.
- As part of the session structure, participants were assessed regularly on their understanding and application of skills.
Graduation
And on the 21st of December 2024, the graduation ceremony for the WikiBoost participants was hosted by Ayokanmi Oyeyemi (Program Director, Wikimedia User Group Nigeria) and Rhoda James (Project Lead). During the event, 40 participants graduated from the newbies’ program, while 8 participants completed the experienced editors’ program. All graduates fulfilled the program’s requirements, which included prompt attendance at all four classes, submission of all assessments, and a demonstrated understanding of the material covered.

The graduands for the Newbie program include:

The graduates for the Experience Editors program include:

Overall Program Impact
Enhanced Skills
The program achieved significant skill development across both participant streams. Newbies acquired foundational Wikipedia editing skills, while experienced editors deepened their understanding of policies and advanced tools.
Community Growth
The onboarding of 300 new contributors has strengthened the Wikimedia ecosystem, increasing the pool of active editors and expanding the diversity of content contributors.
Increased Awareness
Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of Wikimedia’s mission and its role in promoting free knowledge, fostering a sense of purpose and alignment with the movement’s values.
Leadership Development
Experienced editors are now equipped to take on mentorship and leadership roles, ensuring the continued growth, guidance, and sustainability of the Wikimedia community.
Challenges and Recommendations
- Time Constraints: Limited session durations made it challenging to cover complex topics in depth, particularly for participants needing additional support; therefore, it is recommended to extend session durations for better comprehension, provide supplementary materials such as recorded sessions and step-by-step guides for independent study, and adopt a hybrid training model combining virtual and in-person sessions to accommodate diverse learning preferences and offer extended hands-on practice.
- Technical Barriers: Some participants faced challenges accessing and using essential tools and platforms, limiting their engagement in the program; to address this, it is recommended to conduct pre-program technical tutorials on tools like Wikipedia and Wikidata, provide accessible troubleshooting guides and videos, establish real-time support channels for technical assistance, and explore partnerships for device lending or internet subsidies to support participants with limited access to resources.
Conclusion
The WikiBoost program successfully achieved its objectives of building capacity within the Wikimedia community. By onboarding 300 participants and graduating 48, the program has laid a strong foundation for sustained contributions and leadership development. The insights gained from this initiative will guide the design and implementation of future Wikimedia training programs.

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