Wikimedia Heritage User Group Nigeria

LOGO

the user group will use the Wikimedia Community Logo

Heritage Conservation Integration encapsulates a holistic approach that combines architecture, curating, digitising, preservation, and conservation efforts to safeguard and promote historic heritage. This multidimensional strategy seeks to blend modern architectural practices seamlessly with cultural preservation, leveraging digital tools to document and showcase heritage assets. Integrating these elements aims to ensure a harmonious coexistence between the past and the present, fostering a sustainable legacy for future generations.

STOP EXTINCTION

The whole essence of preserving knowledge is to stop the extinction of information and knowledge relevant to our time and age. In most underrepresented regions, such as Nigeria, many works and prints have been lost due to improper means of preservation and curation and poor storage facilities, which have led to a consistent decline in the state of the materials, Making efforts to preserve the knowledge through digital media and making it relevant to the general public who may require such information is a goal the user group hopes to achieve

Learn more about the user group Wikimedia Heritage User Group Nigeria
Read our mission and vision statement
Discover wikimedia vision here
Find out how our mission aligns with Wikimedia's
Discover our activities on our social media handles TikTok Instagram

Wikimedia Heritage User Group Nigeria Commons Category

VISION AND MISSION

VISION

The Wikimedia Heritage User Group's Vision is to see that Nigeria's heritage is well documented and presented using the various wiki tools and projects that are available on wiki.

MISSION

The Wikimedia Heritage Usergroup Mission is aligned with Wikimedia's mission and they are explained below;

FOSTERING CULTURE AND HERITAGE THROUGH DIGITIZATION

The group plans to curate, digitize and archive heritage archives, maps, films, photographs and negatives across the country and then digitize important original handwritten documents that hold some sort of historical relevance to Nigeria and make them available through the open-source technology that the wiki platforms provide to enhance the reach of Nigeria's heritage and Culture and foster representation of the Country.

TRAINING TEACHING AND EDUCATING OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS

The group plans on training students in higher institutions, and local community residents to increase local community participation, especially in areas where these heritage sites are located and enhance Participation of the local community residents, custodians, Wikimedia Heritage User Group Nigeria members and members from other User Groups both within and outside the country. Training them on the use of pattypan for batch uploads, other wiki media projects how to edit on Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikisource, Wikiversity, and Wiktionary etc, the Wikimedia Heritage User Group Nigerian plans on creating a tech arm for heritage works as part of its productivity and retention strategy to enhance productivity and participation of the users and also enhance retention rate of its participants.

The group plans to hold webinars, seminars, heritage conferences, trainings and workshops for community members both in the country and globally to ensure that contribution to various wiki projects is sustainable and not just a one-off thing, the collaboration and partnerships with the language user groups in the country will be solidified and more sustainable as we will have the edits and uploads and archives translated to the local indigenous language, the languages of Nigeria is a major part of her Heritage and so the user group aims to build even stronger collaboration within the Nigerian space.

POLICY ADVOCACY THROUGH PLANNED ACTIVITIES

The user group plans to support policy advocacy, through the projects that are carried out, involving community leaders in the conversation and effecting change from down to up, the impact and reach of the user group will make it easier to start the conversations for better sustainable policies that affect the open source technology in Nigeria especially as it pertains to sustainable Heritage in Nigeria.

PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY

The activities of the user group aim to promote gender equality by putting out the works of both genders through their archives on Wikimedia Commons and other wiki projects and enhance the reach of the voice of underrepresented genders in the country.

BRIDGING KNOWLEDGE GAP

After careful analysis, it has been discovered that there is a shortage of heritage materials available on the internet that supports research, hence the user group is coming up to bridge the gap in the availability of heritage information both Articles and digital files, audio files and video files that can aid research and promote knowledge dissemination in Nigeria, and bridge the gap in knowledge and its shortage through the projects of the Wikimedia Heritage User Group Nigeria like Research writing, Scientific research, Article writing, Audio uploads, video uploads, photography uploads, digital media files uploads both 2D and 3D.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Wikimedia Heritage User Group Nigeria promotes diversity and inclusion, covering a wide range of participants and users. there is no segregation based on age, colour, skill, gender, height, sexuality, region, location, tribe etc. The goal of the user group is to promote unity via an all-inclusive representation and participation of all members.

The user group plans on enriching wiki projects with heritage information that may or may not have been available on wiki projects.

2024 Campaign

In the year 2024, the Heritage Conservation Integration launched a compelling campaign named No Extinction This initiative is a crucial component of the organization's broader strategy to combat the extinction of architectural heritage, encompassing drawings, building parts, and entire structures. The core objective of the campaign is to emphasize the importance of preserving these rare and valuable pieces of architecture, ensuring that they endure for future generations to appreciate, learn from, and draw inspiration from.

The archive storage mechanism for the first Architect in Nigeria and first president of the Nigerian Institute of Architects

From this campaign, we have been able to digitize over 1331 heritage archives and you can find some of these drawings on Commons using the link

Here

Curate, digitize and archive architectural drawings

Curating, digitizing, and archiving architectural drawings and pieces is a crucial endeavour in the realm of heritage conservation. This multifaceted process involves the careful selection, preservation, and conversion of physical artefacts into digital formats, ensuring their accessibility and longevity for future generations. Here's an exploration of each aspect:

CURATING

Selection Criteria

Curating architectural drawings and pieces involves identifying items of significant historical, cultural, or artistic value. These could include blueprints, sketches, design iterations, and even individual building components with unique features.

Cultural Significance

Consideration is given to the cultural context, architectural movements, and the impact of the architect or era in which the drawings and pieces originated. Items that contribute to a diverse representation of architectural history are prioritized.

Diversity and Inclusivity

Efforts are made to curate a collection that reflects the diversity of architectural styles, regions, and socio-cultural influences. This ensures a comprehensive representation of the global architectural heritage.

DIGITIZING

High-Quality Imaging

State-of-the-art scanning and imaging technologies are employed to capture the finest details of architectural drawings and pieces. High-resolution scans ensure that the digital versions retain the nuances of the original artifacts.

Metadata Integration

Each digital file is enriched with metadata, including details about the architect, historical context, construction materials, and any relevant anecdotes. This information enhances the educational and research value of the digitized content.

3D Digitization (if applicable)

For architectural pieces, especially intricate building components, 3D scanning techniques may be utilized to create immersive digital replicas. This not only preserves the visual details but also allows for interactive exploration.

ARCHIVING

Digital Preservation Standards

Implementing robust digital preservation standards ensures the longevity of the archived content. Multiple copies are stored in secure, climate-controlled environments, and regular checks are conducted to mitigate the risks of data degradation.

Open Access and Collaboration

To maximize the impact of the archive, considerations are made for open-access platforms. Collaboration with educational institutions, museums, and other heritage organizations fosters a shared commitment to preserving architectural history.

Educational Initiatives

The archive serves as a valuable educational resource. Initiatives to integrate the digitized content into educational programs, online platforms, and exhibitions contribute to a broader understanding and appreciation of architectural heritage.

By curating, digitizing, and archiving architectural drawings and pieces, we not only safeguard our cultural legacy against physical deterioration but also democratize access to these treasures. This comprehensive approach ensures that the rich tapestry of architectural history is preserved in a dynamic and accessible format for the benefit of present and future generations.

Community Care Guide by Wikimedia Heritage User Group Nigeria 2024

At Heritage Conservation Integration, our commitment to the preservation of architectural heritage goes hand in hand with our dedication to the well-being and safety of our community members. Our Community Care Guide embodies our proactive approach to ensuring the health and safety of all participants involved in our activities, both online and in physical meet-ups and events.

Health Standards and Safety Measures:

1. Risk Assessment: Before organizing any event or physical meet-up, we conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential health hazards. This includes considerations for the venue, crowd size, and any specific health challenges related to the nature of the activity.

2. Health Guidelines Compliance: We adhere strictly to local health laws and guidelines in the planning and execution of our activities. This ensures that our events are conducted in compliance with the highest health and safety standards set by local authorities.

3. Event Venue Safety: For physical events, we carefully select venues that comply with health and safety regulations. This includes considerations for adequate ventilation, sanitation facilities, and emergency exits to guarantee a secure environment for all participants.

4. Hygiene Protocols: We implement stringent hygiene protocols at all events, encouraging regular handwashing and providing hand sanitization stations. Additionally, we facilitate the use of face masks where necessary, respecting individual preferences and health requirements.

Online Engagement

1. Virtual Alternatives: In recognition of evolving circumstances, we prioritize virtual alternatives for community engagement. Our online platforms provide a safe space for members to participate in discussions, share knowledge, and contribute to heritage conservation efforts from the comfort of their homes.

2. Health-conscious programming: In the planning of virtual events, we consider health and well-being by incorporating interactive and engaging formats. This ensures that participants remain actively involved while fostering a sense of community and connection.

Community Empowerment

1. Education and Awareness: We empower our community members with information about health and safety practices. This includes disseminating resources and guidelines that enable individuals to make informed decisions regarding their participation in events.

2. Inclusive Practices: Our commitment to community care extends to creating an inclusive environment. We actively seek feedback from our members and adjust our practices to accommodate diverse health needs and considerations.

In embracing our Community Care Guide, Heritage Conservation Integration ensures that every initiative aligns with the highest health standards. By prioritizing the safety of our community members, we continue to build a strong and resilient network that actively contributes to the preservation of architectural heritage while safeguarding the well-being of all involved.

Edit-a-thon, photography competitions, design and wiki art competitions

Exciting Competitions in 2024

Unleashing Creativity in Heritage Conservation

Heritage Conservation Integration is thrilled to announce a dynamic lineup of competitions for the year 2024, providing opportunities for our members and enthusiasts to showcase their passion, skills, and dedication to preserving architectural heritage. These competitions are designed to engage participants in diverse ways, fostering a sense of community and collective commitment to our shared cultural legacy.

2023 Project (First Generation): Partnership with Canadian Center Of Architecture, June 2023

The collaborative campaign with the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA)—The First Generations, launched in 2023, continues to gain momentum at Heritage Conservation Integration. This ongoing effort seeks to curate and digitize the architectural drawings of first-generation architects, celebrating their foundational contributions to the architectural landscape.

Our collaboration with the CCA remains pivotal as we work together to create a comprehensive digital archive, paying homage to the architects who shaped the course of architectural history.

In the current phase, our focus has shifted to the uploading stage. Meticulous curation involves the selection of drawings that represent diverse styles, innovations, and historical contexts, ensuring a collection that captures the essence of first-generation architects' creative vision. State-of-the-art digitization techniques are employed to preserve every detail in high-resolution scans, maintaining the integrity of the original artefacts.

The culmination of this effort is the active uploading of these digitized treasures to Wikimedia Commons. This platform enhances accessibility, fostering research, education, and appreciation of architectural heritage on a global scale.

The choice of Wikimedia Commons aligns with our commitment to open access, ensuring that these cultural treasures are freely available to researchers, students, and enthusiasts worldwide. By contributing to Wikimedia Commons, we amplify the global reach of our campaign, enriching the collective knowledge and appreciation of architectural history. The platform also encourages community engagement, allowing users to contribute, comment, and collaborate, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and insights.

We invite everyone to explore the growing collection of first-generation architects' drawings on Wikimedia Commons, delving into the rich history and diversity of architectural styles. Join us in raising awareness about the campaign, sharing the availability of these resources with your network, and encouraging others to explore and contribute you can find archives of Chief Architect Onafowokan Michael olutusen here.

The CCA The First Generations campaign is not just a project; it is a testament to our enduring commitment to heritage conservation. As we progress through the uploading stage, we invite all to partake in making history accessible to present and future generations. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to illuminate the legacy of architectural pioneers.

Members

Members of the Wikimedia Heritage User Group Nigeria
S/N	NAMES	USERNAMES	EMAIL ADDRESS
1	Asuru Lutherking Petercan	Lutarchitecture	Lutarchitecture@gmail.com
2	Warebi Brisibe Gabriel	Prof.brisibe	briswares@yahoo.com
3	Duke Abigail S.	Bigbaybee	ahbeeduke@gmail.com
4	Dambo Karina	karinadambo	favedambo@gmail.com
5	Mathias Victory	victory.mathias	victorymathiaso@gmail.com
6	Williams Bob-manuel	William Bob-manuel Corbusier	williambobmanuel00@gmail.com
7	Asuru Jefferson Petercan	Jefhex	asurujefferson@gmail.com
8	Odili Jesse Kenenimolisa	Odili Jesse	odilijesse@gmail.com
9	Girah Kilsi	Giraphics1	girahkilsi@gmail.com
10	Abbey Collins Victor	Abbey Collins Victor (ACV)	collinabbeyexp@gmail.com
11	Hilary Onuh Ogali	Ogalihillary	kinghillary34@gmail.com
12	Nwonwu Uchechukwu Pascaline	Nwonwu Uchechukwu P	uchenwonwu@yahoo.com
13	Akinleye Babajide James	obawinner	obaonibuore23@gmail
14	Andikan Efiok Eduok	Andikan Efiok Eduok	eduokandikan@gmail
15	Dele Junior Oye	Dele Oye (delexy)	dele.oye.jgmailcom
16	Dappa Solomon	Dappasolomon001	dappasolomongmailcom
17	Joy Obaidu	JoyObaidu	joyobaidugmailcom
18	Andrew Divinefavour	AndrewDFM	divinefavourmmesoma04gmailcom

The Wikimedia Heritage Usergroup has about 100 members on its off wiki platform whatsapp where online trainings and activities are carried out to train the participants of the community, the user group adopted a down-up approach to ensure complete participation from all members of the Usergroup, polls were carried out to help members volunteer with their different skills as backend for the community yielding positive and united frontend, some members volunteered to support with their skills in Photography, videography, video editing, content creation, project management, research and development too. The graphics designers who are volunteering have been sharing the Friendly Policy and the UCOC in animated graphic design text to enhance user participation of all users. After the first training on pattypan we discovered that the participants needed to be trained from the basics, as over 90% are newly on-board. The training will teach them the relevant terms and the rules that guide contribution on the Wiki verse. The daily word of the day helps the Usergroup achieve this. The members are excited and anticipating trainings on Wikipedia and Wikimedia the first training will teach them how to add their names to the members list on the Meta page.

If you want to be part of the group do well to add your full name, username and email address.

Contacts

You can always contact these two primary contacts for any inquiries you may have.

Lutarchitecture

Ogalihillary

If you know your vision aligns with heritage conservation integration and you wish to be part of the community, you can join our community by contacting us here or call the contact

Heritage User Group Activities, Meetings and Events

you can find the timeline of activities of the user group here
You can find details of the proposed school outreach for 2025 here

For enquiries about any of the activities, you can reach out to the designated contacts for the user group.

The user group has her meetings once every month; in the case of an event, it could be more than once a month. Meetings are done via Zoom or Google Meet, and some are done on the WhatsApp platform, depending on the agenda of the meeting

April 2024 - the event aimed at teaching and training community members and other professionals about communal collaborations, and their various roles in preserving heritage either through archives or the building itself.

May 2024 - The event tilted towards the direction of teaching and educating community members on the various sustainable practices of archive storage and its curation processes

June 2024 - The group conducted a seminar regarding community benefits and the overall relevance of the value of sustainable heritage conservation and strategies for cross-cultural partnerships and methods to uphold ethical standards

July 2024 - The community did a lecture that encouraged cross-border collaboration partnering with speakers from the Canadian Center of Architecture and the Sudan, information about the Find and Tell project was discussed and a clear narration of heritage sites and the adverse effects of war on them were discussed introducing the Nigerian community to the heritage of other regions.

August 2024 - This event was impactful as we had a speaker from the Wikimedian User Group Nigeria share how we can leverage Wiki projects to enhance the reach of heritage projects in Nigeria, the webinar provided a platform for policy advocacy as we had the president of the Nigeria institute of Architects attend the webinar. community members learn about sustainable policies and how these policies affect Wikimedia projects in Nigeria.

September 2024 - This event took a tilt to a more technical angle as we had a digitization expert talk to us on several digitizing quality standards and processes. The part of heritage building valuation was not out of the equation completely facts on valuation were shared at the meeting.

October 2024 -the group carried out it's first training workshop on pattypan and guided the participants on installing the pattypan software on their devices and went on do a full rundown on the entire processes practically, the workshop will continue next yeah in full swing as a series to continue training and retraining members on the use of pattypan.

November 2024 -the group carried out onboarding process, volunteering flyers were sent out to groups of Heritage professionals to create awareness this in turn increased group members number from 15 to 105. after this onboarding process polls were carried out to leverage the skills of members in graphics designs, content creation and managerial roles.

You can find link to videos of our meetings here

Digitization projects

First generation, 2023.
No extinction, 2024.
Living Papers, 2025.