SpIN finals to unveil national champion

The stage is now set for the finals of the highly anticipated Spellingbee In Nigeria (SpIN) competition, scheduled for February 15, 2025, at the US Consul General’s residence in Lagos.

Supported by the American Business Council, US Consulate in Nigeria, Rotary Club VI East, Lucid Education Initiative, and Lagos State government, the competition is sponsored locally by Indomie, with Checkers Custard as co-sponsor.

According to the organisers, the competition aims to redefine spelling competitions, moving beyond traditional memorisation techniques to emphasise the development of critical thinking, language comprehension, and communication skills.

They noted that this approach equips students with the life-skills to excel academically and professionally.

In a statement, the Convener of Spellingbee In Nigeria, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, an affiliate of the renowned Scripps National Spelling Bee, USA, expressed her delight on the debut of the edition of Spellingbee In Nigeria and how it was received enthusiastically by parents, students and educators alike.

“This competition goes beyond spelling; it nurtures confidence, good public speaking skills, and a knack for deductive reasoning, thereby preparing students for global opportunities.”

The finals will showcase exceptional talent, with 64 students from Abuja, Taraba, Osun and Lagos states, competing for the chance to be the first ever Nigerian to represent the nation on the global stage in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in the United States in May 2025.

The organisers say the historic moment marks Nigeria’s debut in the prestigious invitation-only competition, joining Ghana as the only two African nations participating in the international programme’s century-long history.

Tachie-Menson disclosed that the winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to fly Nigeria’s flag at the global event in the United States.

Whilst the finals is an invitation-only event, where the diplomatic community, educational leaders, C-suite executives and media representatives will be present, parents, educators, and the public are invited to join in celebrating the achievements of the young minds as they inspire the nation.