By Bunmi Yekini
History was made on Friday, March 14, 2025, as 11-year-old Amazing-Grace Ahuoyiza Ebiebi Salami from Greenpath Preparatory School, Abuja, emerged as Nigeria’s first-ever Spellingbee In Nigeria (SpIN) National Champion.
The grand finale, held at the U.S. Consul General’s residence in Lagos, brought together 64 exceptional finalists from Abuja, Lagos, Osun, and Taraba States in a thrilling contest of linguistic mastery and academic excellence.
After an intense series of rounds, Amazing-Grace secured her victory by correctly spelling the word “Melange”, earning her the prestigious championship title. As part of her prize, she will represent Nigeria at the 100th edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States, marking a historic milestone for the country’s academic community.
A Celebration of Excellence
Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg, speaking at the event, highlighted the significance of the occasion:
“On behalf of the United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, it’s an honor to host the inaugural Spellingbee In Nigeria finals as we mark the 100th anniversary of the United States’ first national spelling bee. We are very excited this year will also mark Nigeria’s first entrance into the competition, alongside students from all 50 United States and international students from Ghana, Jamaica, Japan, and beyond.”
Founder of Spellingbee In Nigeria, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, also emphasized the broader impact of the competition:
“This is more than just a spelling competition, it’s a platform that builds confidence, public speaking skills, and critical thinking in our young learners. Today, we have not only unearthed champions but also inspired a generation of Nigerian students to aim for global excellence.”
The event was made even more special with a virtual appearance by Harini Logan, the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion, who encouraged the finalists with her story of resilience and perseverance.
A New Era for Nigerian Education
The success of Spellingbee In Nigeria was made possible through the support of key partners, including Indomie Noodles, Checkers Custard, Lucid Education Initiative, the U.S. Consulate General Lagos, the American Business Council of Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria, Seven-Up Bottling Company, and AT3 Resources – The Muvmnt Agency.
With this historic win, Nigeria’s entry into the global spelling bee stage is set to inspire a new generation of young scholars, paving the way for greater academic achievements on the world stage.