Wikimedians of Lagos User Group/Annual Report 2024-2025
This report outlines the activities, campaigns, and community engagement efforts carried out by the Wikimedians of Lagos User Group between June 2024 and May 2025.
Overview
[edit]The Wikimedians of Lagos User Group continued its mission of promoting free knowledge and Wikimedia projects in Lagos and surrounding communities. During the reporting period, the group organized and participated in some key initiatives aimed at expanding Wikimedia content, enhancing community participation, and promoting gender equity.
Key Activities
[edit]SheSaid Campaign (October – December 2024)
[edit]As part of the global Wiki Loves Women initiative, the user group implemented the SheSaid Campaign on English Wikiquote. The focus was on adding and improving quotes from notable women in Lagos, Nigeria.
- Goal: To address the gender gap on Wikiquote by increasing the visibility of women's voices.
- Highlights:
- Training sessions on how to contribute to Wikiquote.
- Outreach to local institutions and feminist groups.
- Over 60 new or improved Wikiquote entries about Nigerian women.
- Social media campaign promoting local participation and awareness.
Feminism and Folklore Writing Competition (February – March 2025)
[edit]The group organized a local edition of the international Feminism and Folklore contest on the Nigerian Pidgin Wikipedia.
- Goal: To promote content related to feminism, gender, and local folklore in Nigerian Pidgin.
- Highlights:
- Weekly online editing sessions and tutorials.
- Articles focused on stories, traditions, and notable women figures in Nigerian folklore.
- Over 150 articles created or improved in Nigerian Pidgin.
- Engagement of new editors from Ojo, Lagos and other culturally rich communities.
Community growth
[edit]- Active outreach to underrepresented language communities (e.g., Nigerian Pidgin).
- Increased female participation, particularly during the SheSaid campaign.
- Integration of newcomers into editing workshops and campaigns.
Challenges
[edit]- Internet connectivity and data cost barriers limited some participant engagement beyond the event periods.
- Need for more technical training among new editors.
- Limited funding for in-person gatherings.
Future plans
[edit]- Strengthen partnerships with local cultural and educational institutions.
- Organize quarterly edit-a-thons focused on local heritage and languages.
- Continue building capacity in Nigerian Pidgin Wikipedia through thematic writing contests.