11-Year-Old Nigerian Girl Wins Inaugural Spelling Bee Competition, Heads to Global Contest in US

Amazing-Grace Salami, an 11-year-old student from Greenspill International School in Abuja, has emerged victorious in Nigeria's inaugural Spelling Bee (SpIN) competition.

Salami outspelled 63 other finalists from various international schools in Nigeria and the United States to claim the top spot .

The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg during the Grand Finale of the SpIN competition, held in Ikoyi, Lagos. Salami will represent Nigeria at the centennial edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States, where she will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and various prizes, including a $10,000 Merriam-Webster dictionary subscription.

The SpIN competition, affiliated with the Scripps National Spelling Bee, aims to promote spelling excellence and literacy among Nigerian students. This year's event kicked off in August 2024 with 200 students from 15 schools across Nigeria.

Gorg emphasized the significance of the event, stating that it marks Nigeria's entry into the global spelling bee community. Eugenia Tachie-Menson, convener of the event, praised the contestants for demonstrating exceptional linguistic skills, which will benefit them beyond the competition.

Salami's mother, Kemi Salami, described her daughter as determined and hardworking, despite her upcoming school exams. Amazing-Grace thanked the organizers and vowed to represent Nigeria with pride at the global competition.