Team Nigeria has won the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup held in Shanghai, China, marking a major milestone for the country’s young spellers.
The achievement was announced on Sunday by the Nigeria Spelling Bee through a post on its official Facebook page.
“Team Nigeria has won the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the Spelling Bee World Cup in Shanghai, China,” the organisation wrote.
Also celebrating the feat, Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, confirmed that two of its students, Maryam Yusuf and Abdurrahman Yusuf, were among the medal winners at the international competition.
The school stated, “Ar-Raheem International College students Maryam Yusuf and Abdurrahman Yusuf won medals at the Spelling Bee World Cup final in Shanghai, China 2026.”
The victory comes during Nigeria’s maiden appearance at the Spelling Bee World Cup after qualifying through the Nigeria Spelling Bee and the African Spelling Bee Championship.
The Nigerian team comprised 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 tournament, the Nigeria Spelling Bee described the country’s qualification as a historic achievement.
“For the first time ever, Nigeria will be represented at the Spelling Bee World Cup, as four outstanding young spellers prepare to compete in Shanghai, China, from July 10 to 20, 2026,” the organisers said.
They noted that the students had progressed from the Nigeria Spelling Bee to the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe, before earning a place on the world stage.
The organisers added that the team was representing not only Nigeria but the entire African continent.
“As they compete against the world’s finest young spellers, they carry with them the hopes of a nation and the pride of an entire continent. Join us in wishing Team Nigeria a successful outing as they make history at the Spelling Bee World Cup 2026,” the statement read.
Ahead of the competition, Adeolu expressed optimism about representing Nigeria globally.
“I am proud to be part of the Nigerian Spelling Bee and African Spelling Bee delegation travelling to the Spelling Bee World Cup in Shanghai, China, to represent Nigeria,” she said.
She added that she looked forward to competing with top young spellers from around the world, improving her vocabulary and confidence, and bringing the championship trophy back to Nigeria.
Adeolu qualified for the World Cup after winning the Junior category at the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe, where she outperformed contestants from more than 30 African countries.
At the same continental competition, Abdurrahman Yusuf finished third, while Team Nigeria emerged as the second-best overall team, further cementing the country’s growing reputation in international spelling contests.
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