President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his congratulations to 14-year-old Adeolu Oluwadamilola Oreofe for clinching the top prize in the junior category of the 2026 African Spelling Bee Championship.
A Historic Victory
Oreofe, a student at St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, emerged victorious at the competition held in Harare, Zimbabwe, outperforming contestants from over 20 African nations. Her triumph comes with a $5,000 educational scholarship.
In a statement, President Tinubu praised the young champion, saying, “This feat not only brings honour to Nigeria on the continental stage but also serves as an inspiration to millions of young Nigerians to pursue excellence in academics and personal development.”
Recognition of Hard Work
The President described the achievement as a testament to the value of sustained investment in education, literacy, and youth development. He commended Oreofe’s resilience, discipline, and academic excellence, acknowledging the critical role played by her parents, teachers, and mentors in nurturing her talent and supporting her journey to the top.
Tinubu noted that Oreofe’s success followed years of perseverance despite earlier setbacks. She finished second at the 2023 MTN Spelling Bee and the 2024 Ekiti State Spelling Bee, placed fifth at the 2025 African Spelling Bee, and came second at the 2025 Nigeria Spelling Bee before ultimately claiming the continental crown this year.
Commitment to Education
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the education sector by expanding opportunities that enable Nigerian youths to compete and excel globally. He wished Oreofe continued success in her future endeavours.
