Nigeria has recorded a major milestone in international academic competitions, after its representatives secured the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup held in Shanghai, China.
The achievement was announced by the Nigeria Spelling Bee on Sunday, through its official Facebook page, where the organisation celebrated the country’s successful debut at the global championship.
Key Highlights:
“Team Nigeria has won the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the Spelling Bee World Cup in Shanghai, China,” the organisers announced.
Among the medal winners were Maryam Yusuf and Abdurrahman Yusuf, both students of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin.
The school also confirmed their success in a statement shared on its official Facebook page, congratulating the students for their outstanding performance at the international competition.
Nigeria made its first-ever appearance at the Spelling Bee World Cupz after qualifying through the Nigeria Spelling Bee and the African Spelling Bee Championship, earning the opportunity to compete against top young spellers from around the world.
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The national team comprised four students: Oluwadamilola Adeolu of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti; Abdurrahman Yusuf and Maryam Yusuf of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin; and Chinedu Okediachi of Madonna International Schools, Asaba.
Before the competition, the organisers described the team’s participation as a landmark achievement for Nigeria, noting that the students had progressed through national and continental contests before qualifying for the global stage.
They also said the team would be representing not only Nigeria but the entire African continent during the championship held between July 10 and July 20, 2026, in Shanghai.
Ahead of the tournament, Oluwadamilola Adeolu expressed optimism about competing internationally, saying she looked forward to testing her abilities against contestants from different countries while improving her vocabulary and confidence.
She also expressed hope of returning home with the championship trophy.
Adeolu secured her place at the World Cup after emerging champion of the Junior Category at the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe, where she outperformed contestants from more than 30 African countries.
Nigeria also impressed at the continental competition, with Abdurrahman Yusuf finishing third overall, while the country emerged as the second-best team at the event.
The latest victory in Shanghai further strengthens Nigeria’s growing profile in international spelling competitions and highlights the country’s rising academic talent on the global stage.
