Nigerian Spellers Claim Historic Gold at World Cup Spelling Bee in China

Team Nigeria has achieved a landmark victory by winning the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup hosted in Shanghai, China.

The global tournament, which ran from July 10 to July 20, marked Nigeria’s first-ever appearance at the international event. The team earned their spot on the world stage following standout performances at both the national level and the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The four-member contingent representing Nigeria and the African continent featured:

Oluwadamilola Adeolu (St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti) – 2026 African Spelling Bee Junior Champion

Abdurrahman Yusuf (Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin)

Maryam Yusuf (Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin)

Chinedu Okediachi (Madonna International Schools, Asaba)

Among the highlights of the tournament were individual medal performances by Maryam Yusuf and Abdurrahman Yusuf, whose school confirmed their achievements during the finals.

Prior to the competition, the Nigerian spellers secured strong continental standings, with Adeolu winning the African Junior category against contestants from over 30 countries, and Abdurrahman Yusuf placing third overall. Their success in Shanghai cements Nigeria’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in international academic competitions.