An 11-year-old from Greenpath Preparatory School, Abuja, Amazing-Grace Salami, has made history by winning the first-ever US-hosted spelling bee in Nigeria, Spellingbee In Nigeria (SpIN).
This impressive feat has earned her the title of national champion, and she’ll receive an all-expense-paid trip to represent Nigeria at the 100th edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States.
The competition, which started in September 2024, was hosted by the US Consulate General and saw 64 finalists from various states.
After several intense rounds, Salami correctly spelled the winning word ‘melange’ to claim the championship title.
This achievement marks Nigeria’s first entrance into the Scripps Spelling Bee competition, alongside students from the United States and other countries like Ghana, Jamaica, Japan, among others.
As the acting US Consul General noted in a statement “Since 1925, the Scripps Spelling Bee has showcased American academic excellence, while promoting literacy and a love of the English language among youth.
“We are very excited this year will also mark Nigeria’s first entrance into the competition, alongside students from all 50 United States and international students from Ghana, Jamaica, Japan, and beyond.”
The convener, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, expressed her pride in the participants and the transformative impact of the competition.
She said the exercise would inspire a generation of Nigerian students to aim for global excellence.
