Nigeria has achieved a landmark academic success after its student team emerged winners of the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup held in Shanghai, China. The announcement was made on Sunday by the Nigeria Spelling Bee, confirming the country’s breakthrough performance at the global event.
The victory marks Nigeria’s first-ever participation in the prestigious competition, making the achievement even more significant. The team qualified for the world stage after progressing through the Nigeria Spelling Bee and the African Spelling Bee Championship, where they had already demonstrated strong academic ability and consistency.
Among those who stood out at the competition were two students of Ar-Raheem International College, Maryam Yusuf and Abdurrahman Yusuf, both of whom secured medals for their performances. Their contribution played a key role in Nigeria’s overall success at the tournament.
The four-member Nigerian team also included Oluwadamilola Adeolu of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti, and Chinedu Okediachi of Madonna International Schools, Asaba. Each of the students earned their place through a rigorous selection process that tested spelling proficiency, vocabulary depth and confidence under pressure.
Prior to the global contest, Nigeria had delivered an impressive showing at the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe. Adeolu emerged winner of the junior category after outperforming contestants from more than 30 African countries, while Abdurrahman Yusuf finished in third place. The team’s combined effort saw Nigeria rank as the second-best overall at the continental level.
Organisers had earlier described Nigeria’s participation as historic, noting that the students were not only representing the country but also carrying the aspirations of the African continent. The competitors themselves expressed excitement ahead of the tournament, highlighting opportunities to engage with peers from around the world, improve their skills and aim for top honours.
With the gold medal secured, Nigeria’s performance in Shanghai has further strengthened its growing reputation in international spelling competitions, while showcasing the potential of young talents in academic excellence on the global stage.
SOURCE: PUNCH NG
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