Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Promoting Open Knowledge In Nigerian Private Universities (ID: 23544521)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
Abdullahalaba
- Organization
N/A
- If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)
N/A
- Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)
Main Proposal
[edit]- 1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.
Promoting Open Knowledge In Nigerian Private Universities
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2025-11-08 - 2025-12-06
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Nigeria
- 5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)
WikiGap
- 6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)
As a Wikimedia editor in a private university, I noticed a clear gap in the representation of Nigerian private institutions on Wikimedia platforms. To address this, I led the project “Wikimedia Promotion in Lead City University” (November–December 2023). Within one month, the project successfully retained over 50 new editors, improved and created several articles on Wikipedia and Wikidata, and uploaded multiple images to Wikimedia Commons. This experience confirmed that students and faculties in private universities are eager to contribute.
You can learn more about the project here. https://meta.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_promotion_in_Lead_city_university
Building on this, this project's interest is to increase awareness, participation, and representation of Nigerian private universities on Wikimedia platforms. Currently, Wikimedia projects such as Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons are more widely promoted in public institutions, while private universities and colleges remain underrepresented both in terms of contributors and in the visibility of their people, research, and cultural impact. This has created a knowledge equity gap where private institutions, despite their contributions to education and society, are not adequately documented or engaged on Wikimedia.
The main challenges or problems this project is trying to solve are; 1. Low Awareness in Private Institutions: Many students and faculty members in private universities are not aware of Wikimedia projects beyond Wikipedia, and fewer still understand how to contribute. 2. Underrepresentation of Private Institutions: Articles about private universities, their programs, research, and notable alumni are often missing, incomplete, or poorly sourced. 3. Limited Culture of Contribution: Private universities typically lack Wikimedia clubs, ambassadors, or structured engagement compared to public universities. 4. Perception Gap: Wikimedia is sometimes not appreciated as a tool for academic and cultural visibility in private institutions.
To address these challenges, this project will:
- Promote awareness and training: Conduct both physical and virtual workshops to train students and faculty in editing Wikipedia, contributing to Wikidata, and uploading media to Wikimedia Commons.
- Encourage documentation of private institutions: Organize edit-a-thons and writing contests focused on creating and improving articles about private universities, their research outputs, staff, and alumni.
- Build sustainable engagement: Establish Wikimedia clubs or ambassador programs in private institutions to ensure continuity and ongoing contributions.
- Foster partnerships: Collaborate with private university administrations and student organizations to integrate Wikimedia as a tool for academic visibility and open knowledge contribution.
Through these approaches, the project aims to bridge the knowledge equity gap, empower private university communities to share their knowledge, and ensure that Nigerian private institutions are properly represented on Wikimedia platforms.
- 7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.
The project will run for one month, consisting of six structured sessions designed to improve the representation of Nigerian private universities on Wikimedia platforms: 1. Two-Day In-Person Workshop The project will begin with a two-day in-person workshop at a selected private university. Participants (students and faculty) will be introduced to Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons. Sessions will cover notability guidelines, sourcing reliable references, neutrality, and quality editing to ensure contributions meet Wikimedia standards. 2. Two Online Reinforcement Training Sessions Following the initial workshop, participants will take part in two virtual training sessions. These sessions will provide advanced skills, such as creating new articles on underrepresented private institutions, editing Wikidata entries, and uploading media to Wikimedia Commons. Facilitators will also address challenges faced by participants during practice. 3. Edit-a-thon After training, participants will join a two-week edit-a-thon focused on documenting Nigerian private universities. They will create and improve articles on their institutions, programs, notable alumni, faculty, and cultural activities, as well as contribute related images to Wikimedia Commons. 4. Review and Award Session At the end of the edit-a-thon, contributions will be reviewed over one week. The best editors will be recognized based on the quality and impact of their work. Contributors will be given certificates and Top contributors will receive gift vouchers to encourage continued participation. 5. Establishment of Wikimedia Clubs/Ambassadors To ensure sustainability, the project will set up Wikimedia clubs or appoint ambassadors in the participating universities. These groups will serve as focal points for continuous Wikimedia activities within their institutions.
These activities are designed to equip private university students and faculty with lasting editing skills, foster sustainable engagement, and improve the documentation of Nigerian private institutions on Wikimedia platforms.
- 8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.
Abdullahalaba (Project Lead, Organizer, and Facilitator): Abdullahalaba is an active Wikipedia and Wikidata editor with over 10,000 edits counts, he will train the participants on Wikipedia fostering on Wikidata project. Abdullahalaba brings extensive experience and expertise to his role as the project lead, particularly in managing and facilitating Wikimedia initiatives. With a strong background as a Wikimedia Project Facilitator, he has been instrumental in growing the Wikimedia community. Notably, he led the Wikimedia promotion project at Lead City University, where his efforts resulted in the retention of over 50 editors who made significant contributions to Wikimedia platforms. During the Wikimedia Promotion event in Akure, Abdullahalaba delivered impactful sessions that equipped participants with essential skills for navigating and editing Wikidata items. His proficiency as a skilled trainer was evident in his ability to guide participants in making meaningful contributions to Wikimedia projects. Abdullahalaba’s commitment to the Wikimedia movement extends to a wide range of initiatives, including Wiki Loves Library, Wikimedia Promotion in Lagos, Afrosport Nigeria, Wiki Climate Campus Tour, Afrocreatives Wikiprojects, and Wiki for Human Rights. His active participation and significant contributions to these projects have enriched the Wikimedia community and expanded its reach. Beyond his expertise in Wikimedia projects, Abdullahalaba demonstrates strong leadership in event management and planning, as seen in his roles at Lead City University and Akure Physical Training. His dedication to fostering knowledge sharing, collaboration, and community engagement makes him an invaluable contributor to Wikipedia and the broader Wikimedia movement. Role: As the project lead, Abdullahalaba is responsible for overseeing the project's implementation and ensuring its success in meeting its objectives.
Taoheedah (Trainer- offline and online) : Taoheedah is the project lead of Expanding Coverage of Owo Cultural Heritage on Wikimedia 2.0. She is a certified Wikimedia project organizer who participated in the Organizer Lab V2. She was the project lead of Preservation of Owo Cultural Heritage on Wikimedia 1.0. Taoheedah was a participant in the inaugural Africa Growth Pilot Cohort. During this program, she received specialized training from senior program officers at the Wikimedia Foundation, equipping her with the skills to actively engage in Wikimedia projects. Aside from Wikimedia Projects, She is the Founder of the HealthForAll Initiative For Community Health where she has led several community health campaigns and collaborated with organizations in Uganda, Ghana and Kenya where she demonstrated coordination, planning, and team planning skills in promoting healthy living. Role: trainer and facilitator
Taofeeq Abdulkareem (Trainer- online and offline): He is an experienced Wikidata editor who has held leadership positions in Wikimedia, most notably as a Special Duty Officer, and was the Vice President, Training and Development of the Wikimedia Fan Club at the University of Ilorin. He has proven talents in event management and planning in leadership positions, particularly at Wikiclimatecampustour Nigeria, University of Ilorin Physical Training, and Wikimedia Fan Club, Unilorin, Arts + Feminism 2023 Campaign. He was the project lead of Afrohistory: Nigerian legends and heroes and Wikimedia Awareness in Ogbomosho.
Ayyuha Sideeq (Communication & Logistics Manager): Ayyuha is an active Wikimedia editor and skilled event organizer with experience in planning and facilitation. He served as an onsite facilitator for the Wiki and Health Articles in Nigeria Project. He ranked among top contributors in Wikimedia Promotion in Ogbomosho, Arts and Feminism, Wiki Loves Africa, Feminism and Folklore, and Wiki Loves Earth. He also participated in projects like the Wiki Climate Campus Tour, Wikidata’s 11th Birthday, and Every Book Its Reader 2024. His consistent contributions highlight his commitment to Wikimedia growth and knowledge equity.
- 9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)
The project will target students and faculty members from Nigerian private universities, colleges, and polytechnics. These participants will be drawn from diverse academic backgrounds, with a focus on those interested in research, open knowledge, and digital skills. They represent a community that is currently underrepresented on Wikimedia platforms compared to their peers in public institutions. A call for applications will be made using Google Forms, shared through private university networks, student associations, and social media. From the pool of applicants, a selected group (around 50 participants) will be invited to join the program. Before the activities, participants will be introduced to Wikimedia through pre-training resources and orientation materials. During the activities, they will engage in workshops, online reinforcement sessions, and edit-a-thons led by experienced facilitators. To maintain quality and prevent vandalism, new editors will receive close mentorship, while more experienced contributors will handle article creation and translation. After the program, a WhatsApp group created for participants will remain active to provide mentorship, answer questions, and share opportunities for further Wikimedia involvement. Regular check-ins and monthly editing challenges will be encouraged to sustain engagement.
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
Yes
- 10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.
The event will fully adhere to Wikimedia’s Friendly Space Policy to provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all participants. Prior to the event, attendees will receive copies of the Friendly Space Policy and the Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC). Throughout the sessions, organizers will take proactive steps to maintain a positive and respectful atmosphere.
Participants aged 14 and above are encouraged to join, with a particular focus on engaging young people. To ensure safety, no violent or sexually explicit content will be displayed in public areas. A youth safety plan will also be made available at the venue, and all in-person activities will strictly comply with local laws and regulations regarding young participants. This will guarantee a safe, supportive, and lawful environment for everyone involved.
- 11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.
I have informed the Wikimedia Nigeria user group via their meta page
- 12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Cultural background, ethnicity, religion, racial
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Education
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Ethnic/racial/religious or cultural background
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Innovate in Free Knowledge
Learning and metrics
[edit]- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
Did the project train new and existing editors in private universities to gain the skills needed to edit Wikimedia projects? Did the project help close the knowledge equity gap by improving the visibility of Nigerian private universities, their people, and their contributions? Did the project increase representation of diverse voices and reduce systemic bias on Wikimedia platforms? Was the project beneficial to the participants in terms of knowledge gained and satisfaction with the training? Did the participants contribute quality content to Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons about private institutions? Did the project establish sustainable Wikimedia clubs or ambassadors within private universities to ensure ongoing engagement?
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 60 | |
| Number of editors | 50 | |
| Number of organizers | 4 |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 60 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 80 |
| Wikidata | 50 |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | |
| Wikiversity | |
| Wikinews | |
| Wikispecies | |
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
- Optional description for content contributions.
N/A
- 19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)
No
| Main Open Metrics | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
- 20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)
I will track project metrics using the Outreach Dashboard, the Meta event page, and the Hashtags tool.
Financial proposal
[edit]- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
- 22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)
2161000 NGN
- 22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.
1408.86 USD
- We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.
Yes
Endorsements and Feedback
[edit]Please add endorsements and feedback to the grant discussion page only. Endorsements added here will be removed automatically.
Community members are invited to share meaningful feedback on the proposal and include reasons why they endorse the proposal. Consider the following:
- Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
- Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
- Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
- Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
- Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).