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My Introduction to OSM at Unique Mappers Network Author: Victory114 | Date: 21st April 2026 | Location: Unique Mappers Network, UNIPORT Mall, Port-Hacourt, Nigeria Language: English

Setting The Scene.

I was introduced to Unique Mappers Network (UMT) by my mentor; an Environmental Consultant, CEO, lecturer, and Engineer, Engr. Andrew John. He informed me about a call for applications that had been advertised on LinkedIn on the 26 February 2026. With only three days to apply, I seized the opportunity with much excitement. It was a chance to utilise and build on my knowledge and skills in GIS. I submitted my application and was delighted when UMT accepted me. I was then invited to visit the headquarters in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, for an interview and induction.

Arriving At UMT.

I arrived at UMT headquarters for the first time filled with excitement and curiosity. The National Coordinator, Dr Victor, interviewed me and gave me a thorough induction on what to expect during my time with the organisation. I was later added to the organisation’s group chat and had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about UMT’s excellent achievements, including their international engagements in Paris and Romania, OSM conference and State of the Map. I was impressed by Dr Victor’s depth of knowledge and experience in GIS, training, and event coordination. From that first conversation, I felt assured of the quality of guidance that would be available to me throughout my internship.

How I Found Unique Mappers Network.

Before arriving, I had already read about the organisation, how it was founded in 2017, its mission of humanitarian action and community development through mapping, and its growing list of achievements and international participation. I already had some knowledge of environmental monitoring and GIS from my first and second years at Nottingham Trent university, and I am looking forward to my final year, where I will be taking a module on Remote Sensing. This internship with UMT was a perfect opportunity to share my skills in environmental monitoring and GIS while learning new things and building practical experience in an organisation dedicated to humanitarian mapping. It would also help me prepare actively for my remote-sensing module.

What UMT Do: In My Own Words.

Unique Mappers Network is a non-governmental organisation driven by youth empowerment, community development, humanitarian action, and mentorship all through mapping. Its mission is global, leveraging OpenStreetMap (OSM) as a tool to empower young people and enlighten communities and institutions about the power of mapping. The skills developed at UMT can be applied across humanitarian work, technology, research, consulting, urban planning, remote sensing, oil and gas industry, natural-resources management, and much more.

My First Day What Actually Happened.

Activities and Sessions On 31 March 2026, I was received by the team with warmth and given a few exciting tasks to carry out. First, I was asked to give a presentation on an internship proposal for my 6 months with the organisation. The feedback I received was constructive and insightful, helping me understand how to make the most of my time at UMT. I was then introduced to the HOT certification courses on Introduction to Open Mapping and Introduction to OpenStreetMap. I also received a tutorial on how to map on OSM, which added to my existing experience with QGIS. Learning how to contribute practically to the very OSM data I had been using in my QGIS projects was genuinely mind-blowing. I was also taught how to publish an OSM diary entry and given tasks to publish on OSM and share my HOT certificates on LinkedIn. There were so many exciting opportunities to learn and grow from day one. The tools and platforms I was introduced to included OSM, the iD Editor, JOSM, the Tasking Manager, and the HOT course platform.

People I Met.

I met Grace, a talented and experienced team member who is also a super mapper with excellent experience in using drones for mapping. Grace gave me valuable feedback on my proposal and shared her own mapping journey with me.

What I Learned on Day One.

I learned many new things, but the single most important realisation was this: it is individuals, people like me who contribute to the OSM map I had been using in QGIS all along. Understanding that I could be part of building that dataset was a powerful moment. Giving the proposal presentation was nerve-wracking, challenging, and exciting all at once but I did it anyway. I am glad I pushed through, because the constructive feedback I received was invaluable.

Reflecting on What This Means to Me.

At the end of my first day, I felt that I had a great deal to look forward to. The energy of the team, the depth of knowledge available, and the sheer variety of tools and skills on offer all left a lasting impression. Contributing to open mapping in Nigeria means something personal to me. It connects my academic studies in Environmental cience with real-world impact helping communities become visible on the map and supporting humanitarian responses where they are needed most. I am most looking forward to deepening my skills in OSM mapping, earning my HOT certifications, and contributing meaningfully to projects that make a difference.

Looking Ahead.

This is just the beginning of my journey with Unique Mappers Network, and I cannot wait to see where it leads. If you want to support open mapping in Nigeria or connect with a vibrant community of young mappers, check out Unique Mappers Network you won’t regret it.

UniqueMappersNetwork #UniqueMappersTeam #NTU #UniqueMappersIntern2026

My Introduction to OSM at Unique Mappers Network