The famous Scripps National Spelling Bee from the USA has come to Nigeria, marking a big moment for the country’s education system. This well-known competition, which has been celebrating academic success for over a century, is now available to Nigerian students aged eight to thirteen. These students will have the chance to compete on a global stage.
The official launch happened in Lagos on August 30, 2024. Many people attended, including media members, educators, school representatives, and sponsors. Eugenia Tachie-Menson, who organized the program, shared that this event is a joint effort by the Young Educators Foundation, Lucid Education Initiative, and the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Tachie-Menson highlighted that the program is supported by Indomie Noodles as the main sponsor and Checkers Custard as a co-sponsor. She explained that the Spell It, Nigeria program will allow Nigerian students to compete for the first time in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Nigeria will join Ghana as one of only two African countries in this important competition.
The first edition of Spell It, Nigeria is open to schools across the country until early October 2024. The grand prize is a trip to the United States for the winner to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May 2025. The program is mostly online, making it easier for students from different parts of Nigeria, including remote areas, to join in.
The online part of Spell It, Nigeria includes lessons to improve vocabulary, spelling, and public speaking skills. This setup ensures that students everywhere can take part and get ready for international competition. The program’s success depends on strong partnerships with groups like the Lucid Education Initiative, the American Business Council of Nigeria, and Rotary International District 9112.
The launch event was hosted by spoken word poet Sammy “The Sage” Hassan and featured a poem called “English Is An African Language.” Speeches were given by Margaret Olele, CEO of the American Business Council of Nigeria, and other key figures from Spell It, Nigeria, such as John Senaya, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, and Treasure Funke Anikeade.
Starting Spell It, Nigeria is a new step in the Scripps National Spelling Bee’s history, expanding its reach to talented young spellers in Nigeria. The program aims to inspire a love for language and learning, offering a meaningful educational experience.
