Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Revitalization of Minority Groups in Nigeria (ID: 23632521)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
Banabulama
- 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.
Revitalization of Minority Groups in Nigeria
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2026-01-20 - 2026-02-20
- 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)
Other (please specify) Language Revitalization
- 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)
Nigeria is one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse countries in Africa, with over 500 ethnic groups and more than 400 languages spoken across its regions. Despite this richness, many minority groups and their languages are on the brink of extinction due to limited documentation, underrepresentation in mainstream media, and minimal visibility on digital knowledge platforms. This growing digital gap has led to the erosion of cultural identity, historical narratives, and indigenous knowledge systems of these minority communities. The Wikimedia movement, as a global platform for free knowledge sharing, provides an inclusive space for preserving and amplifying the voices of marginalized and minority groups. However, an observable gap still exists in the representation of Nigerian minority groups across Wikimedia projects such as Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons. Most available online content focuses predominantly on major ethnic groups, leaving minority communities largely invisible in the global knowledge ecosystem. The Revitalization of Minority Groups in Nigeria Project aims to bridge this gap by promoting the digital documentation and visibility of minority groups, their languages, traditions, and heritage through Wikimedia platforms. This initiative seeks to train local editors, researchers, and youth volunteers from underrepresented communities to create and improve Wikipedia articles, upload multimedia contents to Wikimedia Commons, and contribute structured data to Wikidata.
We believe, by empowering these communities with the tools and skills to tell their own stories by themselves align perfectly with the Wikimedia Foundation’s goals of knowledge equity, linguistic diversity, and community empowerment. This effort will not only preserve Nigeria’s endangered cultural heritage but also promote inclusivity and visibility of minority groups in the global digital space.
Project Overall Goal
To promote the revitalization, visibility, and documentation of Nigeria’s minority groups and their cultural heritage through Wikimedia projects, thereby fostering knowledge equity and inclusion within the Wikimedia ecosystem.
Project Specific Objectives
- Enhance digital visibility of minority groups in Nigeria: Create and improve at least 100 Wikipedia articles and Wikidata entries related to minority ethnic groups, languages, and cultural heritage across Nigeria.
- Build local capacity among minority communities: Train at least 30 youth volunteers, language advocates, and community members from selected minority groups on how to contribute effectively to Wikimedia projects.
- Promote linguistic and cultural diversity: Document oral traditions, festivals, crafts, and indigenous knowledge systems of at least five minority groups through Wikimedia Commons (photos, audio, and short videos).
- Foster partnerships for sustainability: Collaborate with local institutions such as cultural associations, universities, and media organizations to support continuous content creation and preservation efforts beyond the grant period.
- Strengthen community participation in Wikimedia initiatives: Establish a regional Wikimedia hub or user network that focuses on minority representation and cultural documentation in Northern and Central Nigeria.
- 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.
Proposed Activities
To address the outstanding issue of underrepresentation and marginalization of minority groups across Wikipedia and its sister projects, this project will implement a series of targeted activities aimed at building editors’ capacity to document the culture, history, and identities of minority groups in Nigeria. The goal is to improve the visibility, credibility, and readership of Nigeria-related content, while promoting inclusivity and knowledge equity. Each activity is carefully designed to align with our overall objectives:
1. Virtual Training Workshops: The project will host four (4) online training sessions, each lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes, spread across the project period.
What: A series of interactive, hands-on virtual workshops focusing on identifying, improving, and creating Wikipedia articles related to Nigerian minority groups — including their history, cultural practices, heritage, and notable personalities.
Why: Many minority groups in Nigeria remain invisible online due to lack of awareness and participation in open knowledge platforms. This has led to the gradual loss of their cultural identity and limited access to information about their heritage.
How: Each session will use real-world case studies and examples from the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Centre for Research in Nigerian Languages, Translation and Folklore, and other cultural institutions to demonstrate effective research and documentation methods.
Where: Sessions will be held virtually via Zoom/Google Meet, and attendance will be tracked. Participants will be added to a dedicated WhatsApp group for follow-up mentorship and updates.
2. Field Trips: We will conduct field trips to key communities across Northern and other regions of Nigeria to gather historical information, oral narratives, and photographs of minority groups.
What: Data collection trips to document local traditions, cultural festivals, traditional governance systems, and historical landmarks relevant to Nigeria’s minority groups.
Why: Field-based documentation provides authentic, first-hand knowledge that strengthens the accuracy and depth of online content about minority communities.
How: Teams will visit selected communities, engage with local leaders, and collect reliable data, images, and interviews that can be used to create and enrich Wikipedia articles.
3. Social Media Awareness Campaign: A dedicated awareness campaign will be launched across Wikimedia Nigeria’s social media channels to highlight the project’s goals and celebrate Nigeria’s cultural diversity.
What: A digital campaign to promote the inclusion of minority group knowledge on Wikimedia projects.
Why: Many Nigerian editors and readers rely on social media for information. Using these platforms will help us reach wider audiences and raise awareness about the importance of documenting minority groups.
How: The campaign will include infographics, short videos, and interactive quizzes showcasing cultural facts and achievements from minority communities across Nigeria.
4. Physical Training Workshops: We will organize four (4) physical workshops in selected regions to train editors on improving and creating Wikipedia articles about minority groups.
What: In-person sessions to build participants’ practical s kills in content creation, data collection, Wikipedia editing, and proper citation from reliable cultural sources.
Why: Face-to-face learning enhances engagement and allows participants to connect directly with experienced trainers and peers.
How: These sessions will provide hands-on training using laptops and mobile devices, focusing on field data integration and content development workflows.
5. Writing Contest and Mentorship Program: A writing contest will be organized to encourage editors to create or improve articles related to Nigerian minority groups.
What: A structured competition and mentorship initiative pairing new editors with experienced Wikimedians who specialize in cultural and regional documentation.
Why: Sustained mentorship ensures that participants continue editing effectively after the initial training and maintain high-quality standards in their contributions.
How: Mentors will guide mentees through a WhatsApp-based community for regular discussions, feedback, and project sustainability. The best-performing participants will be recognized and rewarded.
6.Partnerships and Collaborations: We will partner with relevant cultural and educational institutions within Nigeria and beyond, such as: National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) Centre for Research in Nigerian Languages Translation and Folklore, Language Development Centre (LCD), Local cultural heritage organizations and community associations.
Why: These partnerships will enhance the authenticity, richness, and credibility of information collected and published through the project.
How: Collaborating institutions will provide access to archives, expert consultations, and local networks to support research, training, and long-term impact.
Expected Impact and Sustainability
These activities are designed to produce both immediate impact and long-term sustainability. The combination of online and offline training will build a skilled pool of editors committed to documenting minority group knowledge. The field trips and partnerships will ensure that information is authentic and verifiable. The mentorship and contest components will keep editors active and motivated, while the social media campaign will promote broader public engagement. Together, these efforts will revitalize Nigeria’s minority groups by amplifying their stories, preserving their cultural identity, and ensuring fair representation 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.
Banabulama (Project Lead)
Banabulama is a passionate language advocate, content creator, and senior Wikipedia editor on the Central Kanuri Wikipedia. He is deeply committed to the promotion and preservation of indigenous languages, particularly those at risk of extinction. His versatile experience in mentoring and supporting new editors from minority language communities, Banabulama has played a key role in building local editing capacity and enhancing content quality across various Wikimedia projects. His work reflects a strong dedication to linguistic diversity, open knowledge, and community empowerment within the Wikimedia movement.
- Role: He will lead the event, overseeing all aspects of the project and coordinate the team members.
Umasoyee (Project Anchor)
Umasoyee is a language activist, project manager, and communications professional dedicated to the revitalization and digital representation of Minority groups across Nigeria. She is the Founder of the Speak Ekpeye Fluently Language Initiative (SEFLI), where she leads projects that expand access to Indigenous knowledge online. As a Wikimedia contributor, Umasoye created the Ekpeye Language and Cultural Resources page on Wikimedia Commons, which serves as an archive for the Ekpeye language and culture resources through photographs and short documentaries. She also initiated the Wikipedia in the Ekpeye incubator project, a growing effort to include Ekpeye on Wikimedia projects. Umasoye also supports community-led initiatives across borders that promote the visibility of Indigenous languages online.
- Role: She will anchor the program and engage all of our editors throughout the project period
Umargana1 (Project Facilitator)
Umargana1 is a founder of Central Kanuri Wikipedia community and a language advocate that work tirelessly in bringing out Central Kanuri Wikipedia from incubator. He possesses extensive knowledge in writing articles about Nigeria languages.
- Role: Facilitator for Training and Engagement
Lucy Iwuala (Online Facilitator)
Lucy Iwuala is a dedicated language professional and community engagement strategist with expertise in language localization, digital content management, and multilingual project coordination. Her work bridges linguistic and cultural gaps, ensuring inclusive and accessible communication for global audiences.
- Role: Lucy Iwuela will serve as a facilitator for the online sessions of the project, she will ensure that all the online sessions run smoothly and align perfectly with the project target.
Igallards7 and Fulani215 (Adviser)
Igallards7 and Fulani215 are the founding members of the Wiki for Minorities Project. They will serve on the Advisory Committee, providing strategic guidance and oversight to ensure that all project activities align with the mission and vision of Wiki for Minorities.
- Role: Overseeing the project implementation
- 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 engage members of the Igbo Wikimedians User Group, Wiki for Minorities, Fulfulde Wikimedia Community User Group, Central Kanuri Wikimedians Community, and the Ibibbio Language Revitalization Initiative. The project will also involve individuals and institutions dedicated to cultural and linguistic preservation, including linguists, educators, local historians, cultural activists, and students from departments of linguistics and cultural studies. These groups are chosen for their shared commitment to promoting indigenous languages, safeguarding oral traditions, and preserving Nigeria’s diverse cultural identity through Wikimedia platforms and open knowledge initiatives.
Engagement Strategy
Before & During Activities
Participants will be engaged through hybrid (online and physical) training sessions, thematic webinars on indigenous language documentation, and interactive workshops that explore digital storytelling and open knowledge tools. Engagement will also include pre- and mid-project surveys, regular community meetings, and direct outreach through local leaders, social media platforms, and academic networks. A shared online resource hub containing training materials, language guides, and documentation toolkits will be created to enhance learning and collaboration among participants.
After Activities
Post-project engagement will focus on sustaining participation through group upload sessions, mentorship programs, and content improvement drives across Wikimedia projects such as Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons. Participants will be integrated into ongoing Wikimedia community activities, fostering leadership development, cross-community collaboration, and long-term involvement in the revitalization and documentation of Nigeria’s minority languages and cultural heritage.
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
No
- 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.
N/A
- 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.
The Revitalization of Minority Groups in Nigeria project was discussed off-wiki with leaders and members of the Wiki for Minorities, Fulfulde Wikimedia Community User Group, Central Kanuri Wikimedians Community, and the Igbo Wikimedians User Group. The communities expressed strong support, recognizing the project’s role in promoting linguistic and cultural diversity through Wikimedia platforms. Discussions focused on the project’s objectives, activities (trainings, oral heritage documentation, digitization, and uploads), and ways to ensure collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability. The groups also agreed on aligning the project with existing Wikimedia initiatives to avoid duplication of efforts. Although initial consultations were conducted off-wiki, all project updates and outcomes will be shared transparently on Meta-Wiki with an on-wiki announcement made before the official launch to encourage broader participation.
- 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)
Language
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Culture, heritage or GLAM
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Linguistic / Language
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Increase the Sustainability of Our Movement
Learning and metrics
[edit]- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
By the end of the Revitalization of Minority Languages in Nigeria project, we aim to achieve the following:
- Mobilizing New Editors: we are hoping to identify and apply best practices for recruiting and engaging new editors from minority language communities, ensuring inclusivity and long-term participation.
- Enhancing Learning Experiences: we hope to develop effective methods for improving editors’ learning processes through culturally responsive training and mentorship programs.
- Sustaining New Communities: we hope to understand the best way to maintain the momentum of newly formed communities after their first event through leadership support and continued engagement strategies.
- Mentorship and Coordination: we hope to evaluate the role of mentorship in improving project coordination, strengthening collaboration, and fostering growth within emerging language communities.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 100 | |
| Number of editors | 50 | |
| Number of organizers | 6 |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 100 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 300 |
| Wikidata | 150 |
| 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)
We will use Wikimedia Foundation's Dashboard 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)
4072000 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.
2764.08 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).