How Nigerians Can Get a Verified Wikipedia Page: A Full Guide for Brands and Influencers

Why a Wikipedia Page Even Matters

If you’re a Nigerian public figure, entrepreneur, creative, or brand builder trying to gain online credibility, one thing you’ve probably heard is:

“You’re not notable until you’re on Wikipedia.”

And for good reason.

Wikipedia isn’t just a free encyclopedia — it’s a global credibility engine. It’s one of the most visited websites in the world, and its entries consistently rank #1 on Google.

For Nigerians, especially those growing a personal brand, getting a Wikipedia page can:

• Boost your Google search visibility

• Help you qualify for Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X verification

• Act as a reference for press, investors, and potential partners

• Serve as a neutral third-party record of your public achievements

But here’s the reality…

You can’t just create a Wikipedia page for yourself or your brand and expect it to stay up.

Wikipedia has strict guidelines — and if you don’t meet them, your page will be deleted within hours or days.

That’s why in this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to get a legitimate, verified Wikipedia page as a Nigerian, whether you're a:

• Musician

• Startup founder

• Author

• Influencer

• NGO or business brand

Let’s start with the one thing most people get wrong…

1. You Must Be “Notable” — According to Wikipedia, Not Your Opinion

In Wikipedia terms, “notability” means that a topic (person, company, brand) has received significant coverage in reliable, independent sources.

Translation? Wikipedia only wants pages about people or organizations that other respected media outlets have already written about.

Here’s what this really means:

• ✅ You’ve been featured in major Nigerian or international newspapers, magazines, or online publications

• ✅ You’ve been profiled or interviewed in stories that are not sponsored or paid promotions

• ✅ There are multiple sources (not just one), and they’re spread over time

And here’s what does not count:

• ❌ Your personal blog or Medium article

• ❌ Press releases published by your own team

• ❌ Social media posts, YouTube videos, or interviews by “friends”

• ❌ Pages that say “Submitted by the subject themselves”

2. The 7 Types of Reliable Sources Wikipedia Accepts

If you’re Nigerian and planning to submit a page, your sources will make or break your approval. Here are 7 kinds of media sources that Wikipedia usually accepts:

1. National Newspapers — Punch, Vanguard, Guardian, ThisDay, Premium Times

2. Global Media — BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, The New York Times

3. Niche Industry Media — TechCabal, Nairametrics, BusinessDay

4. Academic Citations — Published research or university references

5. Books — Commercially published biographies or books by others

6. Magazine Profiles — Forbes Africa, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg

7. Documented Awards — If from a reputable organization (e.g., The Future Awards Africa)

If all your “coverage” is from sponsored publications or little-known blogs with no editorial oversight, it won’t count.

3. You Need to Wait (or Work) Until the Sources Exist

Here’s the mistake most upcoming Nigerian creators or CEOs make:

“Let me quickly go create a Wikipedia page to boost my brand.”

Wrong approach.

Wikipedia is a documentation tool, not a promotion tool.

You can’t use it to force credibility before it exists. Instead, you must create the media trail first — and then use Wikipedia to capture that trail.

So what should you do if you’re not notable yet?

Easy: Start earning press — the right way.

4. How to Become “Wikipedia Eligible” in 3–6 Months

If you’re serious about qualifying, here’s a 3 to 6-month PR strategy you can follow:

✅ Month 1–2: Build Visibility

• Get listed on Google as a business or creator

• Optimize your social media bios (add “Featured in” highlights)

• Start pitching yourself for podcast interviews and blog features

✅ Month 2–4: Earn Independent Press

• Pitch your story to Nigerian online newspapers and lifestyle blogs

• Contribute guest posts to sites like TechCabal, Legit.ng, or Nairametrics

• Get featured by 3–5 independent editorial teams with bylines

✅ Month 4–6: Win Awards or Speak at Events

• Apply for local awards like Future Awards, SME100, YNaija’s New Establishment List

• Speak or appear at industry events and make sure coverage follows

Once you have 5–10 solid articles (with your name as the main subject), you’re finally ready.

Download the free guide:📥 “The PR Visibility Starter Pack: Where to Feature Online to Qualify for a Wikipedia Page”No email needed. Get it instantly.

5. Never Write the Wikipedia Page Yourself (Here’s Why)

Even if you meet the notability standard, you should not write your Wikipedia page yourself.

Here’s why:

• Wikipedia frowns on conflicts of interest

• Pages written by subjects often sound biased or promotional

• Admins check your IP and user history — if it looks self-written, it gets flagged

What should you do instead?

Hire or ask an independent editor or Wikipedia contributor to:

• Research and cite only verifiable sources

• Use neutral, fact-based language

• Follow the standard formatting for your field (e.g., infobox, early life, career)

6. Wikipedia Has a Specific Format — Follow It Strictly

Your Wikipedia page should follow a structure similar to other Nigerians in your industry. For example:

For a Nigerian Musician:

• Early life and background

• Career beginnings

• Discography

• Awards and nominations

• References

• External links

For a Nigerian Tech Founder:

• Early life and education

• Startup journey

• Media and press appearances

• Awards and recognitions

• Contributions to industry

• References

Use other verified pages as your template:

• Sim Shagaya

• Tiwa Savage

• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

7. Don’t Pay Random Agents or Fiverr Sellers — You’ll Get Banned

Be very careful.

There are thousands of fake Wikipedia “editors” online who will:

• Take your money

• Write a poor article with no valid sources

• Publish it using spammy tricks

• Then get the page deleted in days (and sometimes get you blacklisted)

Wikipedia moderators are very strict, and they can block names and domains from ever being approved again.

Instead:

• Work with trusted editors with public edit history

• Ask for examples of pages they’ve contributed to that are still live

• Use platforms like Upwork to find real Wikipedians with positive reviews

8. How to Actually Submit a Page (If You’re Ready)

Once your draft is complete and meets the standards:

Option A: Use Wikipedia’s “Articles for Creation” (AfC) Portal

1. Create a Wikipedia account

2. Submit the draft under “Articles for Creation”

3. Wait 1–3 weeks for editor review

4. Respond to any correction requests

Option B: Work With an Existing Editor (Preferred)

• They can use their privileges and account reputation to publish directly

• May bypass some delays in moderation

In either case, always expect your page to go through strict review.

9. After Approval: Protect Your Page from Deletion

Wikipedia is a living project — pages can be edited by anyone. To keep your page live:

• Add new sources and achievements over time

• Don’t let the article become outdated or irrelevant

• Watch for edit wars or malicious edits (you can flag abuse)

• Never try to secretly edit your own page

10. Common Nigerian Wikipedia Page Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Mistake	What Happens	Fix
Writing the page in first-person	Instant deletion	Always use third-person neutral tone
Using promotional language (“world-class”, “visionary leader”)	Gets flagged as biased	Stick to facts + citations
Only 1-2 blog posts as sources	Doesn’t meet notability	Aim for at least 5–10 reliable articles
Creating a company page with no press	Rejected as advertising	First build media presence and impact

Bonus: Pages You Can’t Get Approved (No Matter What)

Wikipedia won’t approve a page for:

• Small businesses without press

• Music artists with only Spotify or YouTube links

• Entrepreneurs with no third-party recognition

• Events or products launched without media coverage

So always build public credibility first.

Summary: Your Step-by-Step Nigerian Wikipedia Path

1. Make sure you’re notable (as per Wikipedia rules)

2. Gather at least 5–10 reliable sources

3. Don’t write it yourself — use a neutral editor

4. Format it properly with references and structure

5. Submit via AfC or through a trusted editor

6. Maintain and update your page regularly

What’s Next?

You now know how Nigerians can get a verified Wikipedia page — legally and ethically.

But here’s the thing: most people struggle with the PR visibility part.

That’s why we created this free download just for IbiFoundry readers:

🎁 [The PR Visibility Starter Pack: Where to Feature Online to Qualify for a Wikipedia Page]

Includes:

• 20+ Nigerian press platforms that count

• Sample media pitch for Nigerian founders

• A visibility action plan (30–90 days)

Nigerian_PR_Assets_Wikipedia_Eligibility_Pack.pdf

Download PDF • 7KB

Get it here — no email needed!

Final Thoughts

Wikipedia isn’t for everyone.

But if you’re building something impactful — and you’re ready to be recognized — a Wikipedia page can open global doors.

If you want 1-on-1 help reviewing your sources, structuring your draft, or building your press trail, contact Simon directly.

✅ Finally...

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