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.”