In a remarkable display of linguistic prowess, 11-year-old Amazing-Grace Ahuoyiza Ebiebi Salami from Greenpath Preparatory School, Abuja, emerged as the National Champion of the first-ever Spelling Bee in Nigeria (SpIN).
The grand finale, held at the U.S. Consul General’s residence in Lagos, brought together 64 of Nigeria’s top young spellers from Abuja, Lagos, Osun, and Taraba States. The competition was a celebration of academic excellence, attended by diplomatic officials, business leaders, educators, and proud parents.
The journey began in September, with hundreds of participants competing for a spot in the finals. After multiple intense rounds, Amazing-Grace clinched victory by correctly spelling the championship word, “Melange.”
As the winner, she has earned an all-expense-paid trip to the United States, where she will proudly represent Nigeria at the 100th edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, marking the country’s historic debut in the prestigious international competition.
A Historic Milestone for Nigeria
During the event, Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg underscored the significance of this inaugural competition, especially as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the U.S.
“Since 1925, the Scripps Spelling Bee has celebrated academic excellence while fostering literacy and a love for the English language. We are thrilled that Nigeria will now be part of this tradition, competing alongside students from the U.S., Ghana, Jamaica, Japan, and more.”
Beyond Spelling: A Platform for Future Leaders
Convener of Spellingbee In Nigeria, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, highlighted the transformative impact of the competition.
“This is more than just spelling—it’s about building confidence, public speaking skills, and critical thinking. Today, we haven’t just crowned a champion; we have inspired a new generation of Nigerian students to aim for global excellence.”
The event also featured a virtual guest appearance from Harini Logan, the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion, who shared words of encouragement with the young finalists, emphasizing the value of preparation, resilience, and confidence.
A Future of Global Academic Excellence
The success of Spellingbee In Nigeria (SpIN) was made possible through the support of key partners, including Indomie Noodles (Title Sponsor), Checkers Custard (Co-Sponsor), Lucid Education Initiative, the U.S. Consulate General Lagos, First Bank of Nigeria, Seven-Up Bottling Company, and more.
As Nigeria celebrates its first-ever national spelling bee, this milestone marks the beginning of greater academic achievements and global recognition for young Nigerian scholars.
