ADUN Shines at WUGN Community Leaders Retreat: From Library Initiative to National Recognition

What began as a scholarly concept in the university library has evolved into a national success story for the Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN), as its Wiki Fan Club recently represented the institution at the 2026 Wikimedia User Group Nigeria (WUGN) Community Leaders Retreat in Lagos.

The initiative, birthed through the "Wiki in School" programme and championed by the University Librarian, Dr. (Mrs.) G.N. Onyia, was officially established as a structured pathway for students to engage with global open-knowledge platforms.

Following a competitive nationwide selection process by WUGN, ADUN’s Wiki Fan Club President, Okafor Marvelous, was selected to attend the prestigious leadership retreat in Lagos. The training focused on:

Strategic Governance: Leadership development and community building.

Institutional Accountability: Mastery of grant processes and financial responsibility.

Knowledge Sustainability: Planning for long-term academic contributions on campus.

The club’s influence is already being felt across the Admiralty University campus. Members have actively worked to bridge the digital gap by creating and expanding Wikidata profiles for university lecturers. This ensures that the scholarly output of ADUN academics is accurately represented and discoverable in global knowledge repositories.

During the recent "Bookish Valentine" event, the club leadership—including President Marvelous and Vice President Ifeanyi Anita Ayodamola—shared their journey with the wider student body. In a gesture of appreciation, the club presented a commemorative souvenir from WUGN to their staff advisor, Mr. Sylvester Ebhonu, for his steadfast mentorship.

Through the strategic support of the University Library, ADUN’s Wiki Fan Club has transitioned from a guided learning group into a model of student-led research and digital literacy. The club continues to contribute to various Wikimedia projects with increasing academic rigour, positioning Admiralty University as a leader in the responsible sharing of global knowledge.