In a historic milestone for the country, Nigeria is set to participate for the first time in the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee, with 12-year-old Amazing-Grace Ahuoyiza Ebiebi Salami representing the nation at the competition’s centennial edition in Washington, D.C., USA.
Salami, a student of Greenpath Preparatory School, Abuja, earned the honor after emerging winner of the inaugural Spelling Bee In Nigeria (SpIN). Ahead of her journey, she paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Expressing her excitement about the international challenge, Salami said she looks forward to meeting fellow young spellers from across the globe and making Nigeria proud on the world stage. She also expressed deep gratitude for the encouragement and support she has received so far.
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa commended Salami’s feat, describing her as a beacon of hope and national pride. She emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s debut at the Scripps Spelling Bee, noted that the country joined Ghana as the only African nations to ever participate in the global event since its inception nearly a century ago.
“This is a proud moment for Nigeria,” Dabiri-Erewa stated. “We are committed to supporting initiatives that project the brilliance and potential of our youth globally.”
Salami was accompanied on the visit by her mother, Mrs. Kemi Salami, and Mrs. Eugenia Tachie-Menson, Country Director of the Young Educators Foundation, who led the delegation, alongside other team members.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is one of the most respected academic competitions in the United States, celebrating excellence in English language spelling and vocabulary skills. Nigeria’s participation is seen as a significant step in promoting literacy and academic competitiveness among young Nigerians.
