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Nigerian Students Make History, Clinch Gold at 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup in China

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Nigerian Students Make History, Clinch Gold at 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup in China

Nigerian Students Make History, Clinch Gold at 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup in China

  • Team Nigeria wins Gold Award in Middle School Category on maiden appearance at global competition in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China – Nigeria has recorded a historic milestone in international academic competition as its contingent of four students emerged victorious at the 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup, winning the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category.

The prestigious global competition, which took place in Shanghai, China, from July 14 to 19, 2026, saw Team Nigeria outperform participants from Asia, Africa, the United States, China, and Canada. Other African countries represented at the event included Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

The Nigeria Spelling Bee announced the achievement on its official Facebook page on Sunday, July 19, celebrating the team’s outstanding performance. “Team Nigeria has won the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup in Shanghai, China,” the organisation posted.

What makes this victory particularly remarkable is that it marked Nigeria’s first-ever appearance at the Spelling Bee World Cup. The four-member squad earned their place on the global stage after advancing through the Nigeria Spelling Bee and the African Spelling Bee Championship held in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Nigerian contingent comprised Adeolu Oluwadamilola Oreofe of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti, who is the 2026 African Spelling Bee Junior champion; Abdurrahman Yusuf and Maryam Yusuf of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin; and Chinedu Okediachi of Madonna International Schools, Asaba. Ar-Raheem International College confirmed the success of its students, announcing on its Facebook page: “Ar-Raheem International College students Maryam YUSUF and Abdurrahman YUSUF won medals at Spelling Bee World Cup final in Shanghai, China 2026.”

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Before the competition, organisers had described the Nigerian representatives as “brilliant, articulate and exceptional,” expressing confidence in their ability to excel on the global stage. The Nigeria Spelling Bee had earlier announced the country’s historic participation, stating: “For the first time, Nigeria will be represented at the Spelling Bee World Cup, as four outstanding young spellers prepare to compete in Shanghai, China.” The organisers noted that the students were representing not only Nigeria but the African continent. “Their journey has been one of excellence and determination—beginning with the Nigeria Spelling Bee, progressing to the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe, and now advancing to the world stage,” they added.

Oluwadamilola Adeolu qualified for the World Cup after emerging champion of the Junior category at the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, where she outperformed contestants from more than 20 African countries. Her victory at the continental level came with a $5,000 educational scholarship. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier congratulated the 14-year-old on her African Spelling Bee triumph, describing the feat as one that “not only brings honour to Nigeria on the continental stage but also serves as an inspiration to millions of young Nigerians to pursue excellence in academics and personal development.” The President noted that Adeolu did not allow earlier disappointments to deter her from her determination to reach the top. She finished second at the 2023 MTN Spelling Bee and the 2024 Ekiti State Spelling Bee, placed fifth at the 2025 African Spelling Bee, and came second at the 2025 Nigeria Spelling Bee before clinching the continental crown in 2026.

At the continental competition in Harare, Maryam Yusuf emerged as the best Nigerian speller in the speed round, a demanding segment where participants were required to spell 20 words within one minute. Despite being a JSS 3 student competing in the senior category, she correctly spelled 17 words within the time limit, recording the highest score among the five Nigerian contestants. Her performance contributed significantly to Nigeria finishing as the second-best team in Africa in the speed test category. Abdurrahman Yusuf, her schoolmate, secured third position in the junior category at the African championship, adding to Nigeria’s medal haul.

The victory has sparked celebrations across Nigeria, with educators, parents, and well-wishers hailing the students for showcasing the nation’s academic excellence. The achievement is widely regarded as a significant boost for education in Nigeria and a reminder of the immense potential of the nation’s young talents when given the opportunity to excel. Organisers described Nigeria’s feat as a remarkable milestone reflecting unwavering dedication, resilience, and academic excellence. The success also highlights the growing popularity of spelling competitions in Nigeria, where schools and educational organisations have increasingly used spelling bees as tools for promoting literacy, expanding vocabulary, and encouraging a stronger reading culture among children and teenagers. For the young champions, the Gold Award provides recognition for months of preparation and competition, while offering another example of Nigerian students distinguishing themselves on the international academic stage. Supporters of the team described the victory as “more than a gold medal—it’s proof that Nigerian students can compete with and outperform the very best in the world.”

Nigerian Students Make History, Clinch Gold at 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup in China

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Education

LASU: Mother allegedly assaults daughter’s roommate, student rushed to LASUTH with eye injury

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LASU: Mother allegedly assaults daughter’s roommate, student rushed to LASUTH with eye injury

LASU: Mother allegedly assaults daughter’s roommate, student rushed to LASUTH with eye injury

A disturbing incident involving a mother, her daughter and a fellow student at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, has triggered reactions after a video of an alleged assault circulated widely on social media.

The incident reportedly involved Adebayo Oluwatumininu, a 300-level Nursing student, who was allegedly assaulted by the mother of her roommate, Hassan Temiloluwa, a Physiotherapy student.

The Lagos State University Students’ Union (LASUSU) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on September 2, 2026, saying the confrontation left Oluwatumininu with an injury to her eye.

Following the incident, officials of the students’ union at the Ikeja Campus reportedly intervened and took the student to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for medical attention.

The incident attracted widespread public attention after a video showing part of the confrontation was shared on social media.

In the footage, an older woman is seen confronting the student inside a room before the encounter escalates into physical violence. The circumstances leading to the confrontation, however, remain the subject of competing claims.

Reports circulating online have alleged that the woman accused the student of slapping her, while other accounts have made different claims about how the physical confrontation began.

Those claims have not been independently verified, and the LASU Students’ Union did not publicly establish who initiated the physical altercation or provide a complete account of what happened before the incident captured in the video.

The students’ union said the seriousness of the incident became apparent after Oluwatumininu sustained an eye injury and was taken to LASUTH for treatment.

A medical assessment is expected to provide further information about the extent of the student’s injury.

The response to the incident reportedly involved LASU management, the university’s Centre for Gender-Based and Sexual Violence, students’ union officials and members of the affected student’s family.

The matter has also attracted police attention, with the mother of the Physiotherapy student reportedly taken into custody over allegations of physical assault and threats.

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The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and determine whether any criminal offence was committed.

Meanwhile, the university is separately examining the circumstances surrounding the incident involving Hassan Temiloluwa.

According to the students’ union, the student is expected to appear before the LASU University Disciplinary Committee in line with the institution’s established procedures.

The union did not publicly disclose the specific allegations against the student or indicate what sanctions, if any, she could face.

Her appearance before the disciplinary committee should therefore not be interpreted as a finding of guilt, as the university process is intended to examine the circumstances and allow the parties involved to present their accounts.

LASUSU condemned the alleged use of violence in resolving disputes and stressed the importance of using appropriate channels to address disagreements within the university community.

The statement was signed by the 37th LASUSU President, Olipehin Ahmad Rufai, and the union’s Public Relations Officer, Jinadu Jamiu Ademola.

The students’ union also commended the university management, the Centre for Gender-Based and Sexual Violence and others who intervened following the incident.

The case has generated a wider discussion about the role of parents when their children become involved in disputes at tertiary institutions.

While parents may understandably become concerned when their children face disagreements or conflicts, universities typically have established procedures for handling disputes involving students.

In the LASU incident, an alleged disagreement between students reportedly escalated into an altercation involving an adult, resulting in an alleged eye injury, medical treatment, police intervention and a university disciplinary process.

Several important questions surrounding the incident remain unanswered.

It has not been independently established what initially triggered the disagreement between the two students, why the mother went to the hostel or what occurred immediately before the confrontation recorded in the viral video.

There are also conflicting accounts on social media regarding who initiated the physical confrontation.

What the students’ union has confirmed is that an altercation occurred, Oluwatumininu sustained an injury, she received medical attention, the police became involved and the university initiated its disciplinary process.

The police investigation and the university’s proceedings are expected to provide further clarity on the circumstances of the incident.

The case remains under investigation, and allegations against the individuals involved have not been finally established by a court or other competent authority.

The development also underscores the importance of resolving disputes within university communities through established institutional and legal channels rather than through physical confrontation.

As the matter progresses, further information from LASU management, the police, the university disciplinary committee and the courts, where applicable, could clarify the events surrounding the alleged assault.

Newstrends.ng will continue to monitor developments in the case and provide updates as further verified information emerges.

LASU: Mother allegedly assaults daughter’s roommate, student rushed to LASUTH with eye injury

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Regnum Medical University Opens Admission, Gets NUC Nod for Six Health Programmes

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Regnum Medical University Opens Admission, Gets NUC Nod for Six Health Programmes

Regnum Medical University, Anthony, Lagos, has secured approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence academic operations and admit students for the 2026/2027 academic session into six health professional programmes, including Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy and Nursing Science.

The approval clears the way for the newly established university to admit qualified candidates into Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D), Nursing Science (B.N.Sc), Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS), Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) and Radiography (B.Rad).

The NUC approval followed a comprehensive resource verification exercise during which a team of professors and specialists assessed the university’s academic programmes, infrastructure, laboratories, library resources and faculty strength.

With the approval, Regnum Medical University joins the growing number of institutions seeking to expand Nigeria’s capacity for training doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals at a time when the country faces a significant shortage of skilled healthcare manpower.

A statement by the university obtained on Friday says for the 2026/2027 academic session, it will admit students into:
1. Medicine and Surgery – MBBS
2. Doctor of Pharmacy – Pharm.D
3. Nursing Science – B.N.Sc
4. Medical Laboratory Science – BMLS
5. Doctor of Physiotherapy – DPT
6. Radiography – B.Rad

These programmes, it adds, were carefully selected to align with national health priorities and are designed to meet global best practices in medical training. Each course combines intensive classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training to produce graduates who are competent, compassionate, and ready to serve.

Regnum Medical University is located in Anthony, a central and secure part of Lagos. The location at Anthony is about 5-10 mins drive to both the International Airport and the Local Airport and is accessible from Maryland, Palmgrove, Ikeja, Oshodi, and a straight drive from the Lagos Island.

According to the statement, the campus has been structured to support modern education in the health professions.
Facilities include adequate lecture room facilities, state-of-the-art basic science, basic medical science and basic clinical science laboratories, simulation centres, digital library, ICT centres, rehabilitation facilities and air-conditioned hostels.

To drive and implement the various health professions curricula, the university has assembled a team of highly qualified and experienced academic faculty.

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This will ensure that students receive instruction from professionals with both academic depth and real-world clinical experience. Leading this team of erudite professionals and serving as pioneer Vice-Chancellor is Professor Akin Osibogun, a Professor of Community Medicine, who has been Chief Medical Director at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for eight (8) years, and former President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

The Vice-Chancellor will be supported by other astute and renowned Professors in the Health Professions.

Speaking on the development, the Vice-Chancellor said, “Our goal is to create an environment where learning meets practice,” a university spokesperson said. “We are committed to training healthcare professionals who can compete anywhere in the world.”

Understanding that medicine is best learned at the bedside, for strong clinical practices, Regnum Medical University has secured agreements with hospitals under the Lagos State Health Service Commission (LSHSC) for clinical training and affiliations.

This affiliation ensures that Regnum Medical University graduates will not only be academically sound but also clinically competent and familiar with Nigeria’s healthcare system.

To support student welfare, the university provides comfortable hostels with air-conditioned rooms. The hostels are designed to create a conducive living and learning environment, with 24-hour power, water supply, internet access, and security. Other amenities include a cafeteria, recreation areas, and transport services to and from clinical training sites.

The establishment of Regnum Medical University comes at a critical time when Nigeria faces a shortage of doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health professionals.

By expanding access to quality medical education, the university aims to bridge this gap and reduce medical tourism.

With this development, applications for admission into the six programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session are now open to qualified candidates from Nigeria and other countries.
Prospective students with the required UTME and O’Level qualifications in the sciences are encouraged to apply early as spaces are limited.

Further information can be obtained directly from the University at its campus :Regnum Medical University, 326-330 Ikorodu Road, Anthony, Lagos OR by visiting the University website at regnummed.edu.ng or follow @RegnumMedicalUniversity on social media.

The university will also hold physical and virtual admission counseling sessions for parents and prospective students in the coming weeks. Details will be announced on the university’s official website and social media pages.

Regnum Medical University, Anthony, Lagos is a private university dedicated to excellence in health sciences education, research, and service. Admissions are ongoing.

“Apply today and begin your journey to becoming a competent and confident health professional.”

 

Regnum Medical University Opens Admission, Gets NUC Nod for Six Health Programmes

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I woke up daily to leaked NECO questions during 2025 exams — Minister

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I woke up daily to leaked NECO questions during 2025 exams — Minister
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa

I woke up daily to leaked NECO questions during 2025 exams — Minister

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has revealed that he repeatedly received leaked NECO examination questions during the 2025 examination period, describing the experience as one of the “hardest” periods of his life.

Alausa made the disclosure while speaking at a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and other stakeholders in the education sector, where he warned that widespread examination malpractice was threatening the credibility of Nigeria’s public examination system.

The minister said he was regularly sent examination questions before candidates were scheduled to sit for the papers and that officials were sometimes able to confirm that the leaked materials matched the questions for that particular day.

According to Alausa, the experience highlighted the seriousness of the problem and showed that examination malpractice could not be treated as an issue involving students alone.

He said the practice had been tolerated in Nigeria for years, creating an unfair system in which students who prepared genuinely for examinations could be disadvantaged by candidates who gained unauthorised access to examination materials.

“It’s sad. Before she and I came, the acceptance of examination malpractice, cheating and examination leakages in this country was mind-boggling, and the country accepted it. It was a nightmare,” Alausa said.

He warned that the continued prevalence of examination malpractice could eventually influence honest students to cheat because of the pressure to compete with candidates who had access to examination questions in advance.

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“The danger was that the good students would also become bad,” he said.

Alausa also alleged that NECO examination questions had previously been obtained and sold for as little as N3,000 before the examinations.

While recounting the situation, the minister referred to Ibrahim Wushishi, a former Registrar of the National Examinations Council, and described how the name “Wushishi” was allegedly used in connection with a platform where examination questions could be obtained.

“They bought this question for N3,000. That was it. Before the examination. They called him Wushishi and bought the questions for N3,000 before the examination,” Alausa said.

The minister’s account, however, does not by itself establish that Wushishi personally sold examination questions. His remarks were made while explaining what he described as the system through which leaked examination materials were allegedly obtained.

Recounting events during the 2025 NECO examinations, Alausa said he was frequently alerted to examination questions that had allegedly been circulated before the scheduled papers.

He said the messages often arrived early in the morning, forcing him to seek immediate verification from examination officials.

“During that examination period, during the hardest time of my life, I was always worried, waking up. I would wake up to her text. She would send questions to me,” he said.

According to the minister, the materials included questions for subjects such as English and Chemistry.

He said he would forward the questions to the relevant official for verification, adding that he was sometimes told that the questions being circulated were indeed the same ones candidates were scheduled to answer that day.

“It could be English or Chemistry. I was always waking up with trepidation every morning, doing work. I would send it to the HNO and ask, ‘HNO, is this correct?’ And the answer I got was, ‘Unfortunately, that’s the question we’re doing today,’” Alausa said.

He explained that the verification process enabled authorities to establish whether the materials circulating online or through private channels were genuine examination papers.

“So, that was a more aggressive intervention because we were seeing the question and confirming from the other side,” the minister said.

Alausa said the experience convinced him that tackling examination malpractice in Nigeria required a coordinated response involving all parts of the education system.

He specifically warned parents, teachers, school proprietors, principals, invigilators and students against participating in or facilitating practices that could compromise public examinations.

The minister argued that students should not be viewed as the only source of the problem because adults within the education system could play a major role in creating opportunities for examination malpractice.

“You might be in that isolated school, but the school system is also involved. In fact, I don’t blame the students that much. Any child can be bad,” he said.

“But when we have an ecosystem where parents, schools, teachers, invigilators and principals are in full connivance, the students are the smallest players. The people who should put the deterrents in place are the ones involved.”

The minister said the Federal Government was working to strengthen measures designed to protect the integrity of public examinations in Nigeria, stressing that certificates should reflect genuine academic performance rather than access to leaked questions or unauthorised assistance.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, also called on private school proprietors and other stakeholders to support efforts to eliminate examination malpractice.

Ahmad raised concerns about students who perform exceptionally well in internal school examinations but struggle during external examinations, saying this could be an indication that some students had become dependent on unfair assistance.

She urged schools to complete their curricula on time and encourage students to prepare adequately for examinations instead of relying on leaked questions.

The government is also promoting measures such as serialised examination questions, which are intended to make it more difficult for candidates to benefit from leaked papers and other forms of examination malpractice.

The introduction of stronger examination safeguards is part of broader efforts to restore confidence in the country’s examination system and ensure that academic qualifications are based on genuine knowledge and ability.

The minister’s disclosure has renewed concerns over the security of NECO examination papers, particularly the processes involved in preparing, storing, transporting and administering examination questions.

Alausa maintained that tackling the problem would require collective responsibility, warning that examination malpractice undermines students who study and prepare honestly while weakening public confidence in the certificates awarded by Nigeria’s examination bodies.

He therefore urged parents, schools, teachers, examination officials and students to support efforts to restore integrity to the country’s public examinations.

The minister’s comments come as the Federal Government continues to push for reforms aimed at improving standards across Nigeria’s education sector and strengthening accountability within the examination process.

I woke up daily to leaked NECO questions during 2025 exams — Minister

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