Nigeria is set to host the 7th African Spelling Bee (ASB) from April 9 to 13, marking the first time the prestigious competition will be held in a West African nation.
Mr Abdulsalam Ibrahim, National Coordinator of the Nigeria Spelling Bee, announced this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
Established in 2016, the ASB has previously been hosted by South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi.
The Nigeria Spelling Bee, operating under the Bee Spelling Competition Initiative, serves as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for this year’s event.
Endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education, the organisation conducts spelling competitions across all Nigerian states and represents the country in international contests, including the ASB.
According to Ibrahim, the African Spelling Bee was founded with the vision of celebrating the African child, inspiring literacy, and creating a platform for connection and confidence-building among young learners.
He stated that the competition aims to enhance literacy and academic excellence while cultivating a strong reading culture.
The national coordinator noted that the competition also seeks to develop self-esteem and interpersonal skills while building human capital through capacity development.
He said it also aims to promote community-based partnerships and celebrate the cultural diversity and unity of African children.
He noted that this year’s event will bring together the top National Spelling Bee Champions from over 20 African countries.
They include; Benin, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
“The ASB embodies the spirit of Pan-Africanism by uniting young people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate linguistic prowess and cultural heritage.
“Through spelling competitions, African general knowledge quizzes, and cultural exchanges, the event fosters unity and mutual respect among participants, nurturing a generation poised to lead and transform the continent”.
Ibrahim highlighted Nigeria’s strong track record in the ASB, having secured multiple championship titles in previous editions.
He also noted that Nigerian spellers are preparing to defend the Senior Championship title won by Praises Minabowa in the last African Spelling Bee, reflecting the nation’s commitment to educational excellence and youth development.
“The upcoming event in Abuja is expected to be the largest yet, with more than 20 African countries anticipated to participate, each presenting their top six champions vying for the coveted title of African Spelling Bee Champion in both the senior and junior categories.
“Beyond being a competition, the event will be a celebration of Africa’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage, reflecting the continent’s dedication to fostering education, unity, and excellence among its youth,” Ibrahim said. (NAN)
