Nigerian Students Win Big at African Spelling Bee

Two Nigerian students just brought home top honors from the African Spelling Bee, proving that dedication to literacy is paying off across the continent.

Oluwadamilola Adeolu from St. Lawrence Metropolitan College in Ado-Ekiti claimed first place in the junior category at the competition held Friday in Harare, Zimbabwe. Abdurrahman Yusuf from Ar-Raheem International College in Ilorin secured third place in the same category, with South Africa's Ashton Singh taking second.

More than 30 African countries sent their best young spellers to compete. The competition wasn't easy, with a high-pressure speed round requiring participants to spell 20 words in just one minute, plus multiple elimination rounds that tested their skills to the limit.

Nigeria's five-student team earned second place in the overall country rankings. The team included Oghenetano Idoghor from Mountain Top Schools in Lagos, Chinedu Okediachi from Madonna International Schools in Asaba, and Maryam Yusuf from Ar-Raheem International School in Ilorin.

These students didn't just show up to compete. They earned their spots through a rigorous national selection process organized by Nigeria Spelling Bee, starting with grassroots competitions across the country and advancing through state and national levels.

The Ripple Effect

The African Spelling Bee started in 2016 with just 10 countries and a simple vision: celebrate African children, inspire literacy, and build confidence. Today, it's grown to more than 20 nations, including both English and non-English speaking countries, creating connections across the continent.

Students across Nigeria can start their own journey to the continental stage by registering at NigeriaSpellingBee.com. The pathway is clear: compete locally, excel at state competitions, shine at nationals, and represent your country on the African stage.

What began as a small initiative in Johannesburg has become a powerful platform where young Africans prove their skills, build friendships across borders, and show the world what they can achieve. This year's results show that investment in education and literacy creates champions who make their entire nation proud.