Students in Nigeria aged eight to eleven now have the chance to participate in the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee through the newly launched ‘Spell It, Nigeria’ initiative.

This is a significant milestone as Nigeria enters the competition for the first time, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a symbol of academic achievement, promoting a passion for language and education among students globally.

The launch of ‘Spell It, Nigeria’ signifies the start of a new era in this tradition, broadening the scope of this esteemed program to include a dynamic group of young spellers.

This inaugural edition is a joint initiative by the Young Educators Foundation, Lucid Education Initiative, and the Scripps National Spelling Bee, positioning Nigeria alongside Ghana as the only two African nations participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the U.S.

The first edition is open to schools throughout Nigeria until early October 2024, with the grand prize being an all-expenses-paid trip to the United States for the overall winner to compete in May 2025.

Providing insight into Nigeria’s path to the Scripps stage, which Ghana reached 18 years ago, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, Country Manager of the Young Educators Foundation, remarked:

Today marks a significant achievement as Nigeria becomes part of the esteemed Scripps National Spelling Bee community, a platform that has recognized the intelligence, commitment, and resilience of young individuals worldwide for nearly a century. The journey to this moment has been characterized by vision, determination, and a profound belief in the transformative power of education, among other factors.

Designed to meet contemporary educational demands, the program is predominantly online, allowing students from diverse regions of Nigeria, including those in remote locations, the opportunity to engage flexibly. This online curriculum focuses on enhancing vocabulary, spelling, and public speaking abilities, equipping students for success on a global scale.

"Just as music embodies the rhythms of our culture, spelling upholds the precision of our cultural narratives. The interplay between these aspects deepens our understanding of identity, enriching both intellectual and cultural discussions.

Through this combination, we foster a greater appreciation for the subtleties of language and tradition. Thus, the launch of the Scripps Spelling Bee in Nigeria is exceptionally timely," stated Folajimi Akinyoyenu, co-founder of Lucid Education Institute.

Parents and educational institutions interested in enrolling their children in this groundbreaking program are invited to visit the official website.