Amazing-Grace Salami, an 11-year-old student from Greenpath Preparatory School in Abuja, has won the first edition of the Spelling Bee In Nigeria competition. She emerged victorious after beating 633 other finalists from Abuja, Lagos, Osun, and Taraba States.

The grand finale took place at the Lagos residence of the United States Consul General, JoEllen Gorg. After several intense rounds, Salami clinched the title by correctly spelling the final word, “Melange.”

Representing Nigeria on the Global Stage

As the winner, Salami will travel to the United States on an all-expense-paid trip. She will represent Nigeria at the 100th edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The event will mark a historic centennial celebration of spelling excellence and global participation.

The Nigerian contest began in September 2024 with hundreds of participants from across the country. The competition aimed to promote literacy, vocabulary development, and academic excellence among young learners.

U.S. Consul General Celebrates Milestone

Speaking at the event, Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg praised the students and the program. She said, “On behalf of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, it’s an honor to host this grand finale. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Scripps Spelling Bee, and we’re proud to welcome Nigeria as a participant.”

Gorg also noted that Nigeria would join students from the 50 U.S. states and other international countries including Ghana, Japan, and Jamaica.

More Than Just Spelling

Convener of Spelling Bee In Nigeria, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, described the competition as transformative. “This is more than just a spelling contest,” she said. “It’s a platform that builds confidence, public speaking, and critical thinking skills in students.”

She thanked schools, parents, and partners for supporting the vision. She also emphasized that the event had inspired a generation of Nigerian learners to pursue global standards of excellence.

Inspiration From Past Champion

The event featured a virtual appearance by Harini Logan, the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion. She shared her personal journey, encouraging Nigerian students to believe in themselves. She stressed the value of preparation, resilience, and determination.

Nigeria Joins Global Spelling Elite

Spelling Bee In Nigeria is officially affiliated with the globally recognized Scripps National Spelling Bee in the U.S. The initiative seeks to instill a love for English, strengthen spelling and vocabulary, and prepare Nigerian students for international academic competitions.

As Nigeria makes its debut on the Scripps stage, Amazing-Grace Salami’s victory marks a proud milestone and signals greater opportunities for young scholars across the country.