Team Nigeria wins gold at 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup in China

Team Nigeria has won the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup held in Shanghai, China.

The competition, which ran from July 10 to 20, marked Nigeria’s first appearance at the global tournament, with the country emerging as one of the standout performers.

The victorious 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.

The Nigerian quartet outperformed teams from several countries to secure the gold medal, while Abdurrahman and Maryam also won individual medals, further boosting Nigeria’s medal tally.

Team Nigeria qualified for the World Cup after progressing through national and continental competitions. Adeolu, the reigning 2026 African Spelling Bee Junior Champion, played a key role in the team’s campaign, which began at the Nigeria Spelling Bee and culminated in victory at the African Spelling Bee Championship.

Education stakeholders have described the triumph as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s academic sector and a demonstration of the intellectual potential of Nigerian students on the global stage.

The achievement has attracted widespread commendation from parents, educators and public officials, many of whom say the victory should encourage greater investment in education and academic excellence across the country.