As we transition into the 2025 Wiki Loves Africa contest, we welcome Hilary Ogali to the Wiki in Africa team. Hilary is a passionate advocate for free knowledge, African heritage, and language preservation! He joins us as the Wiki Loves Africa project facilitator, bringing his past experience of community activation for Wiki Love Africa, an energetic spirit, and a deep commitment to the Wikimedia movement.
Hilary, a civil engineer from Nigeria, first joined Wikimedia through the Igbo Wikimedians User Group in 2022 and has since grown into a key figure in Wikimedia’s Nigerian and broader African communities. An amateur photographer, public speaker, graphic designer, footballer, and community leader, Hilary is all about collaboration and community-building. He joined the Wiki Loves Africa international team as an ambassador in 2023 and now steps up as our project facilitator to guide next year’s contest. Beyond Wiki Loves Africa, he also serves as the community lead for IG WikiCommons Hub, supporting Nigerian content contributors on Wikimedia Commons, and is active with the Igbo Wikimedians User Group’s programs committee. His work with Igala Wikipedia, which recently graduated from the incubator, underscores his dedication to language preservation and African representation on digital platforms.
We sent Hilary a few questions to learn more about his journey, his passion for open knowledge, and what he hopes to accomplish as part of Wiki in Africa.
Q: What role has the Open Movement or Wikipedia played in your journey?
“My encounter with the Wikimedia movement has ignited a passion for free knowledge, open-source collaboration, cultural preservation, language advocacy, and language preservation,” Hilary shared. “Contributing to Wikimedia projects has not only built my confidence in sharing knowledge and expertise but also provided invaluable opportunities.”
He went on to explain how Wikimedia has opened doors to connect with diverse cultures and linguistic backgrounds, allowing him to learn from mentors and fellow Wikimedians worldwide. For Hilary, the Wikimedia movement has been transformational: “It’s helped me develop essential skills in leadership, event organization, and program management.” Wikimedia has, in short, been a catalyst for both his personal and professional growth.
Q: What does joining the Wiki in Africa team mean to you?
Hilary spoke warmly about his new role with the Wiki in Africa team, expressing excitement about working alongside a community devoted to making knowledge freely accessible while amplifying African stories. “To me, it’s an opportunity to collaborate and learn from dedicated individuals passionate about promoting African heritage, languages, and amplifying the voice of women on Wikimedia platforms.”
Being part of Wiki in Africa means a lot to Hilary, who views it as “a chance to bridge the knowledge gap on Africa-related content, ensure accurate representation, and foster pan-African connections.” It’s clear that he’s motivated to promote inclusivity and diversity within Wikimedia, amplifying underrepresented voices and perspectives across the continent.
Q: What do you hope to achieve with this position?
Hilary is stepping into some big shoes, but he is approaching the role with enthusiasm and a clear vision: “I hope to successfully coordinate Wiki Loves Africa events and campaigns, empowering local communities to document and increase representation of African cultures, languages, and perspectives on Wikimedia platforms.” He envisions creating a ripple effect within the Wikimedia movement, inspiring others and paving the way for positive change.
We can’t wait to see the impact he’ll make with Wiki Loves Africa in 2025. Welcome to the team, Hilary!
Feature image: File:Hilary training on Wikidata.jpg https://w.wiki/Brof by B.Korlah, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Portrait: File:Ogalihillary 1.jpg <https://w.wiki/Brn3> by Ogalihillary, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons