History was made in Lagos on March 14, 2025, as Amazing-Grace Ahuoyiza Ebiebi Salami, an 11-year-old student from Greenpath Preparatory School in Abuja, emerged as Nigeria’s first Spellingbee In Nigeria (SpIN) National Champion. The event took place at the U.S. Consul General’s residence and featured 64 finalists from various states competing in spelling challenges.
The competition began in September with hundreds of participants across Nigeria and concluded with a tightly contested finale. Amazing-Grace secured her victory by correctly spelling "Melange," earning her an all-expense-paid trip to represent Nigeria at the Scripps National Spelling Bee's centennial edition in the United States.
Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg remarked on the significance of hosting the inaugural SpIN finals: “On behalf of the United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, it’s an honor to host the inaugural Spellingbee In Nigeria finals as we mark the 100th anniversary of the United States’ first national spelling bee.”
Eugenia Tachie-Menson, Convener of Spellingbee In Nigeria, highlighted the broader impact of the competition: “This is more than just a spelling competition; it’s a platform that builds confidence, public speaking skills and critical thinking in our young learners."
The event also included a virtual appearance by Harini Logan, 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion, who shared her experiences and encouraged finalists with messages about preparation and perseverance.
Spellingbee In Nigeria is affiliated with the Scripps National Spelling Bee and aims to enhance Nigerian students' spelling and vocabulary skills for global competition. The success of this event was supported by partners such as Indomie Noodles, Checkers Custard, Lucid Education Initiative, and others.
As Nigeria celebrates its first-ever national spelling bee championship, prospects for academic excellence continue to grow.