Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/WLA 2026 For Creatives in Selected Nigerian universities. (ID: 23653683)

Endorsement from IamMKO (talk)

I am pleased to endorse this Wikimedia Commons project proposal, which I believe will play a significant role in expanding open access to visual knowledge and promoting creative cultural documentation. The project’s objectives are well aligned with Wikimedia’s mission to encourage free knowledge sharing and community participation through diverse forms of media.

I find the initiative particularly inspiring because it provides a platform for individuals with creative skills to contribute meaningfully to the global Commons. Members of my community especially photographers, videographers, and storytellers have expressed strong enthusiasm about joining next year’s campaign. Their interest reflects the project’s potential to engage new contributors and strengthen collaboration within the Wikimedia movement.

I look forward to seeing the impact of this project in enriching Wikimedia Commons and further empowering local communities to share their perspectives with the world.

--IamMKO (talk) 20:31, 4 November 2025 (UTC)

Endorsement from Abeltrust (talk)

 Strong support: I strongly endorse this proposal as it presents a well-structured plan to engage creatives in selected Nigerian universities with the Wikimedia movement. The initiative stands out for its focus on bridging knowledge gaps, promoting local content creation, and empowering young people to see themselves as contributors to global knowledge.

The strategies outlined—particularly the emphasis on creative engagement, digital literacy, and collaboration with educational institutions—are practical and achievable. They reflect a deep understanding of the Wikimedia ecosystem and how it can inspire innovation among students.

This project not only aligns with the Wikimedia Movement Strategy goals of knowledge equity and community empowerment but also introduces a fresh way to connect art, culture, and technology in an educational context. I believe it will strengthen Wikimedia’s presence in Nigeria and serve as a model for similar programs across Africa.

--Abeltrust (talk) 06:44, 12 November 2025 (UTC)

Endorsement from Saalyha Eeman (talk)

 Strong support:Kogi State is home to a vibrant story with regards to culture, heritage ,rites and tradition with a rising population of young undergraduates with growing interest in media, storytelling, and digital creativity, yet many lack access to structured opportunities to channel these skills toward global knowledge platforms. This training will bridge that gap by equipping participants with the tools and knowledge to tell authentic African stories while contributing to open knowledge on Wikimedia Commons. It will empower students to document their environment, culture, and innovations giving Kogi a stronger voice in Africa’s digital representation. This proposal builds on our previous successful trainings and experiences within the Wikimedia movement.Past programs have demonstrated the impact of creative storytelling in promoting local content online. This training refines those lessons focusing on undergraduates in Kogi to create a stronger, more structured pathway for continuous participation and mentorship within the Wikimedia ecosystem. The project will introduce new young contributors to Wikimedia, strengthen local participation from Kogi State, and diversify Africa’s visual and knowledge representation online. By training undergraduates, we are investing in a sustainable community of emerging contributors who will continue documenting and sharing knowledge beyond this event, thereby supporting Wikimedia’s global vision of free, accessible knowledge for all. Each activity from storytelling sessions to upload workshops directly advances these goals. The budget is carefully designed to prioritize impact as funding will cover essential logistics, participant support materials, internet access for hands-on Wikimedia contributions, and post-training follow-up to ensure retention and continued engagement.Every expense directly contributes to achieving measurable outcomes and long-term community growth.

--Saalyha Eeman (talk) 07:27, 12 November 2025 (UTC)

An ideal project for awareness and impact

The Wiki for creatives in selected Nigerian Universities will create massive awareness about Wikimedia projects in the selected Nigerian Universities. The population of Nigeria is highly concentrated around young people and organizing a campaign geared towards engaging their creative skills in Wikimedia project will be hugely impactful and long lasting. Owing to the past achievements of new participants in the project, this will be around stepping stone to welcome new members to the various language groups projects in Nigeria under the movement and also expand the movements goals and objectives. Based on the above, i strongly support the proposal. Jerry minor (talk) 08:53, 12 November 2025 (UTC)

Endorsement from Nubelbariloe (talk)

The Wiki for creatives in selected Nigerian Universities will create massive awareness about Wikimedia projects in the selected Nigerian Universities. I believe it will strengthen Wikimedia’s presence in Nigeria and serve as a model for similar programs across Africa --Nubelbariloe (talk) 12:11, 12 November 2025 (UTC)

Endorsement from Aminat23 (talk)

This project will have a great impact on work of art created through videographers and Photographer in the city of Ibadan.

I’m pleased to endorse this project and put in my best for the success of this wonderful project.

--Aminat23 (talk) 09:37, 13 November 2025 (UTC)

Endorsement from Umar2z (talk)

 Strong support for this project because it aims to address gaps in Nigeria’s participation and representation in the Wiki Loves Africa campaign. Despite Nigeria’s rich creative talent and cultural diversity, many professional photographers, videographers, and storytellers lack awareness of the campaign, most have limited understanding of Creative Commons licensing, or face technical challenges in producing and uploading high quality media to Wikimedia Commons. The proposed plan strategically targets these gaps through structured outreach across six culturally diverse universities, targeted digital recruitment, and a strong capacity building approach that will teach visual storytelling, ethical representation, technical media preparation, and proper uploading to Commons. The project also builds on proven successes from previous years, where talented creatives recruited through similar initiatives won top national and international prizes and awards in Wikimedia competitions. The proposal displayed project's capability of enhancing Nigeria’s representation on Wikimedia Commons.

--Umar2z (talk) 05:37, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

Endorsement from Xeruz (talk)

1. The proposal is important in my community because Gombe is a growing state with diverse cultures and traditions that are not told out there. Gombe is also reach In history, but there are no storytellers to tell the story of our rich heritage. The Tera tribe for example which I documented last year, was the first time most people heard about the tribe, talk more of their culture. The north is largely dominated by Hausa/Fulani but there are a lot of tribes too in these states that deserve to be in the limelight.

This strategy will be successful because there are lots of creatives in the community that are waiting for a platform and opportunity to explore. An opportunity like this will have them jump in without thinking twice.

2. The aspect of the strategy and proposed activity is well developed. Bringing awareness down to the communities and organizing the trainings will help creatives to know where and how to channel their energy. It’s not enough to jump into a contest. Wisdom demands you know the briefs well and you’re well equipped for it with your gears, knowledge from trainings etc.

3. Of course it focuses on research and learning. From the theme, one would know that they’ll be lots of research about culture. Not just peripheral but in-depth learning and research. The training is also another channel to learn and innovate.

4. Yes it will. The more creatives participate, the more Wikipedia grows also. Having creatives around the country jump into projects like this, is groundbreaking for Wikimedia.

5. Of course it is. From the objectives down to strategies and budget, it is organized and easy to comprehend. One of the most simple and catchy proposals I’ve come across.

--Xeruz (talk) 20:18, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

Endorsement from Emmanuella643 (talk)

 Strong support This project speaks to what isn't talk about enough, so by equipping Nigerian photographers, and visual storytellers to document the rites and rituals, they're not just filling a gap, but preserving culture and building a future where Nigerian creatives can confidently tell Nigerian stories, in Nigerian voice, from Nigerian lens and share them with the world through open knowledge platforms.

--Emmanuella643 (talk) 22:18, 4 December 2025 (UTC)

Endorsement from Ei'eke (talk)

 Strong support I endorse this project, as it presents a thoughtful and well-structured plan that addresses key community needs, supports underrepresented cultural groups, and strengthens local participation in Wikimedia projects. The focus on documenting rites and rituals across Edo, Benue, and Rivers States is especially valuable, given how underrepresented these heritages are on Wikimedia platforms despite their cultural significance. I also appreciate the strong collaboration model involving local universities, Wiki Loves Africa alumni, and heritage practitioners. The mentorship structure and commitment to training new contributors demonstrate a clear plan for sustainability and long-term impact.

--Ei'eke (talk) 20:38, 5 December 2025 (UTC)

Endorsement from Hackesan

 Strong support this project having gone through project Problem Statement and the strategy to addressing the problems stated coming from extensive experiences as WLA contest and campaign organizers from various communities in Nigeria.

The collaborative approach, target audience and recruitment strategy adopted speaks highly of a well thought strategic planning process to achieve success. Furthermore, the caliber of organizing team - a combination of Wikimedians and award winning professional photographers and filmmakers – purposefully and meticulously selected as trainers and support personnel to ensure participants are carefully selected, groomed to deliver higher quality audio-visuals submissions debiting the Nigeria rites and rituals.

The continuity plans through mentorship for prospective participants is another strategic plan that stands out for me. An avenue to ensure commons contributors retention, skills building and sustainability of the movement inline with Wikimedia Movement Strategy. I look forward to working and learning from these amazing achievers and experts in documenting the rich cultural rites and rituals of highly reverend heritage of the people of Edo State. Hackesan (talk) 20:24, 9 December 2025 (UTC)