In 2025, Nigeria will participate alongside Ghana as one of the only African countries in the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee. This event challenges students to demonstrate their spelling and vocabulary skills, promoting academic excellence and intelligence.
For almost twenty years, Ghana has been the sole African representative at the Bee. Thanks to the efforts of the Young Educators Foundation and their partnership with the Lucid Education Initiative, Nigeria will now also take part. This collaboration aims to inspire Nigerian youth to love spelling and reading, encouraging a new generation of word enthusiasts.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is more than just a competition; it celebrates discipline, word mastery, and academic achievement. By participating, Nigerian students will gain global recognition and improve their thinking skills, critical thinking, and mental sharpness. This initiative aims to spark interest and a lifelong love for language and learning.
Eugenia Tachie-Menson, CEO of the Young Educators Foundation, expressed her excitement about Nigeria’s involvement, saying, “We want students to learn to use words as powerful tools from a young age. We are thrilled that Nigeria will join Ghana in May 2025, during Scripps Spelling Bee’s 100th anniversary – a significant moment for Nigeria.”
The winner of Nigeria’s upcoming spelling contest will earn a place in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May 2025. This participation will emphasize the importance of literacy and spelling education for young students, especially in cities like Lagos and Abuja, where the program is focused.
Afolajimi Akinyoyenu, CEO of Lucid Education Initiative, added, “This program offers Nigerian youth a chance to show their literacy skills on a global stage, challenging the outdated idea that African children only need food.”
In 2024, the Bee featured 245 competitors from all 50 U.S. states, as well as territories like Guam and Puerto Rico, and schools in Europe under the Department of Defense. International participants came from Ghana, the Bahamas, and Canada. In 2025, Nigeria will proudly join this distinguished group.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is known for its challenging format, where spellers have 75 seconds to ask questions and 90 seconds to spell each word. One mistake can end years of hard work and dedication, making it an exciting and high-stakes event.
Beyond just spelling correctly, the competition requires a deep understanding of word origins and meanings. Champion spellers must navigate complex rules and pay close attention to detail. This event is poised to transform Nigeria’s education landscape, motivating young minds to excel in language on a global scale.
