2026 African Spelling Bee Junior champion, Oluwadamilola Adeolu, and three other outstanding Nigerian students are set to make history as they represent the country for the first time at the 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup in Shanghai, China.
The competition, scheduled to hold from July 10 to 20, will see Team Nigeria compete against some of the world’s best young spellers after progressing through the Nigerian and African Spelling Bee championships.
Announcing the milestone in a July 4 statement, the Nigeria Spelling Bee described the country’s participation as a historic moment.
The organisation named the four representatives as Oluwadamilola Adeolu of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti; Abdurrahman Yusuf of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin; Chinedu Okediachi of Madonna International Schools, Asaba; and Maryam Yusuf of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin.
“HISTORY IN THE MAKING!
“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 10th–20th July 2026.
“Their journey has been one of excellence and determination—beginning with the Nigeria Spelling Bee, progressing to the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe, and now advancing to the world stage,” it stated.
According to the organisers, the quartet carries not only Nigeria’s hopes but also Africa’s pride into the global competition.
“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. Go Team Nigeria!,” the statement partly read.
One of the team members, Oluwadamilola Adeolu, expressed excitement about competing on the global stage in a video released ahead of the tournament.
“Hi everyone, my name is Oluwadamilola Oriofe from St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
“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.
The 14-year-old said she was eager to compete with top young spellers from around the world while improving her skills and confidence.
“I am looking forward to the competition itself, meeting new spellers across the world, boosting my vocabulary and confidence on the global stage and also raising the trophy and bringing it back home,” Adeolu said.
She also expressed appreciation to those who supported her journey to the international stage.
“Thank you to everyone at Nigerian Spelling Bee, the Governor of Ekiti State, parents, coach, teachers and everyone who has made this incredible journey possible. See you in Shanghai,” she said.
It was previously reported that Adeolu emerged champion of the Junior category at the African Spelling Bee competition held in Harare, Zimbabwe, after outperforming contestants from more than 30 African countries.
The student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti, secured Nigeria’s first-place finish in the junior category, while fellow Team Nigeria member Abdurrahman Yusuf finished third. South Africa’s Ashton Singh came second.
Nigeria also emerged as the second-best overall team at the continental championship, a feat the organisers described as proof of the country’s consistency and strength in spelling competitions.
The African Spelling Bee featured several stages, including speed rounds where contestants were required to correctly spell 20 words within one minute, alongside single-word elimination rounds.
Adeolu’s latest qualification continues a remarkable run in spelling competitions.
Before winning the African title, she finished second at the 2023 MTN Spelling Bee, placed second at the 2024 Ekiti State Spelling Bee, finished fifth at the 2025 African Spelling Bee and came second at the 2025 Nigeria Spelling Bee.
Her journey to continental glory began after emerging champion at the Ekiti State Spelling Bee before finishing runner-up at the national finals held in Port Harcourt.
The organisers said Nigeria’s debut at the Spelling Bee World Cup marks another milestone in the country’s growing reputation in international academic competitions, with the four students expected to showcase the country’s excellence on the global stage in Shanghai.
