Nigerian students aged eight to eleven can now compete in the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee through the new ‘Spell It, Nigeria’ programme. This is the first time Nigeria is joining the competition, which is celebrating its 100th year in the USA.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee, which promotes academic excellence and a love for language, now includes Nigeria in its global network. The new ‘Spell It, Nigeria’ programme marks the start of an exciting chapter, bringing this prestigious competition to a new group of young spellers in Nigeria.
The first edition of this programme is a joint effort by the Young Educators Foundation, Lucid Education Initiative, and the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Nigeria, along with Ghana, is now one of the two African countries participating in this prestigious competition. Schools across Nigeria can register for the programme until early October 2024. The winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the United States to compete in the final event in May 2025.
Eugenia Tachie-Menson, Country Manager of the Young Educators Foundation, highlighted the importance of this milestone: “Nigeria’s entry into the Scripps National Spelling Bee marks a major achievement. For nearly a century, this platform has celebrated the intelligence and dedication of young people around the world. Our participation demonstrates our commitment to education and our vision for the future.”
The ‘Spell It, Nigeria’ programme is designed to meet modern educational needs, with 75% of the programme delivered online. This allows students from all regions of Nigeria, including remote areas, to participate flexibly. The online curriculum focuses on enhancing vocabulary, spelling, and public speaking skills, preparing students for international competition.
Folajimi Akinyoyenu, co-founder of the Lucid Education Initiative, highlighted the programme’s importance: “Just as music represents our cultural heritage, spelling preserves our cultural expressions. Combining these elements helps us better understand our identity and enhances both intellectual and cultural conversations. Bringing the Scripps Spelling Bee to Nigeria is a valuable addition to our education system.”
Parents and schools wanting to enroll their children in this innovative programme should visit the official website to get more details. The website will provide all the necessary information about how to participate and any requirements needed for registration.
