When I first arrived in Lagos for the Wikimedia Nigeria Community Leaders Retreat, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew it would be a gathering of community leaders from across Nigeria, but what I didn’t realize was how deeply it would impact me; not just as a Wikimedian, but as a leader and an individual.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear we all had a shared purpose. This wasn’t just another event; it was a space for learning, connection, and growth. As leaders, we often focus on improving our communities, but this time, we turned inward, asking ourselves: How can we become better leaders? How can we make our communities better? How can we sustain and grow the Wikimedia movement in Nigeria?

Throughout the retreat, we engaged in intensive sessions on community building, financial growth, investment strategies, and team management. These discussions opened my eyes to the importance of long-term sustainability; not just for Wikimedia projects, but for ourselves as individuals. We weren’t just learning how to run communities; we were learning how to lead with vision and purpose.

On the last day of the retreat we embarked on a tour of Badagry; walking through its historical sites, I could feel the weight of the past pressing against the present, we listened to stories of slavery, and reflected on the importance of preserving history, something that aligns perfectly with Wikimedia’s mission.

Standing there, I was reminded that knowledge isn’t just about facts and figures; it’s about people, culture, and memory. It made me even more passionate about what we do; which are documenting, preserving, and sharing knowledge for future generations.

Before the retreat, many of us had only interacted online. But over those few days, we became more than just colleagues; we became a community. We shared meals, ideas, laughter, and even challenges. There were moments of deep reflection and others filled with lighthearted fun, reminding me that collaboration is at the heart of Wikimedia.

I left the retreat feeling energized and inspired. From what I had learned, and people I had met; their passion, their dedication, and their shared vision for a stronger Wikimedia Nigeria.

On my way home, I reflected on the moments during the retreat, and for sure this retreat was not just an event; it was a turning point. It reinforced my belief that the Wikimedia movement is not just about edits and uploads; it’s also about the people behind the work.

I’m more committed now to playing my part in growing this movement. Because, I understand that leadership is not just about what you do; it’s about who you become.
And this retreat? It made me a better leader.

If you're passionate about open knowledge and community building, consider joining Wikimedia Nigeria. Let’s build something meaningful together.

A few days ago, while scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled on the Micro:bit Educational Foundation’s handle. Instantly, I was taken back to 2019; a fulfilling moment, reminiscing, I realized this story was worth sharing.

It all started when I volunteered for the Teens Can Code initiative to teach children aged 8 to 15 in primary and secondary schools. The training was part of the annual international "Do Your Bit:" competition, sponsored by the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, a subsidiary of Microsoft. The competition focused on SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), challenging young participants to develop solutions using Micro:bit programs.

We had a training where I learned Micro:bit programming and prepared to teach the students. As at that time I didn't own a laptop, so I borrowed one to learn with and prepare my slides. I visited two schools in Port Harcourt: Holy Child International Schools and Victory International School, both in Rumuelumini, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The students were really engaged in the lessons. After the training sessions, I split them into teams of three in each school. Their task was to brainstorm and build Micro:bit-based solutions for either SDG 14 or SDG 15. Seeing their creativity shine was truly inspiring, as each team proposed mind-blowing solutions.

I captured some of these beautiful moments during the training at Holy Child International School and shared a post on Instagram in March 2019. Check it out here!

As the submission day approached, one final hurdle was getting parents to sign off on the project submissions, this was a crucial requirement. It wasn't easy convincing them to leave their busy schedules, but we pulled it off.

The effort paid off in a way I never imagined. I vividly remember the day I received an email from the Micro:bit Educational Foundation. One of my teams, made up of Success, Chris-Jacob, and Sharon had been selected as the African winners of the international competition. It was a testament to the students' hard work and creativity.
You can check out the official announcement here

Traditionally, the Micro:bit Educational Foundation hosts winning ceremonies in London to honor the victors. However, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the event was canceled. Despite this setback, the foundation ensured that the winners received their prizes, including brand-new laptops, Micro:bits, T-shirts, and other goodies. In Nigeria, a special ceremony was organized to celebrate the winning team’s remarkable achievement.

Looking back, this experience taught me that sometimes all young minds need, is a little guidance and belief in their potential. I was just a volunteer with a borrowed laptop, but together we achieved something remarkable.

To this day, the joy on the students' faces and the lessons we all learned remain unforgettable. Sometimes, a simple act of volunteering can spark a journey that reaches beyond borders.
You too can volunteer to make impacts, just start from somewhere.

I got to learn a lot about the public domain, and I thought it would be great to share what I’ve learned with you. Here’s how Nigeria’s public domain policy connects to what we do as Wikimedia contributors:

1. What’s Public Domain?
In simple terms, public domain refers to creative works like books, photos, and songs whose copyright has expired, making them free for everyone to use and share.
In Nigeria: Literary, musical, and artistic works (including books, art, and music): Protected for 70 years after the author’s death; Photographs and audiovisual works (including films): Protected for 50 years from the date of first publication.
Read more on his here:
https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/21820

2. How to Use It on Wikimedia:
• Look for public domain works (like old books, photos, or government publications).
• Upload them to Wikimedia Commons
• Use them to improve Wikipedia articles or enhance Wikidata entries.
Here’s a link to collection of Newspapers in the Nigerian Public Domain on wikicommons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:PD_Nigeria_-_Newspaper

3. You can also contribute to the public domain as a students: If you’re a student with a thesis, dissertation, or any research work, you can upload it to your university’s online repository. Many Nigerian universities have digital repositories where students can share their academic works for public access. This is a great way to contribute to the public domain while making your work accessible to others who might benefit from it.

Here are personal benefits you gain from this:
• Boost Your Academic Profile
• Increase Your Visibility
• Contribute to Knowledge Sharing
• Career Opportunities

4. Why do we contribute to the public domain?
Contributing public domain works helps preserve our heritage and works that are old, it makes knowledge available to all, and empowers others to explore and understand our culture.

I believe Nigerians should understand copyright and intellectual property laws, as they are key to accessing and using the public domain. This knowledge helps individuals preserve and share knowledge freely.

Here are some organizations that support public domain initiatives:
https://pro.europeana.eu/about-us/mission
https://www.ssrn.com/index.cfm/en/
https://freeknowledgeafrica.org/public-domain-and-historical-knowledge/