The prestigious Oba Ayangburen And The Bee Spelling Competition for 2025 has written its name into the history books, crowning its first-ever male champion in a grand finale that captivated Ikorodu. The event, held on Sunday, November 30, at the Ikorodu Town Ultramodern Hall, marked the climax of a four-month-long academic contest that saw hundreds of spectators witness a dramatic and competitive conclusion.
A Royal Event with Historic Outcome
The competition, conceived to honour the Paramount Ruler of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Dr Abdulkabir Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, attracted a massive 700 primary school pupils from both public and private institutions across Lagos State. The journey began with preliminary rounds conducted across all 20 Local Government Areas of Lagos, starting in early October and running into the first week of November.
The grand finale, which ran from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm, was graced by the full royal presence and moral authority of Oba Shotobi, who personally supervised the proceedings. He was supported by a distinguished gathering of dignitaries, including the Chairman of the occasion, Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, CON, and representatives from Ikorodu Local Government, educational foundations, and the business community.
In a remarkable break from tradition, the 2025 title was not claimed by a female pupil, as had been the case in the previous three editions. Instead, Chisa Ibe of TINDIP Nursery & Primary School, Ikorodu, emerged victorious, etching his name as the competition's inaugural male champion.
Multi-Million Naira Scholarships and Royal Benevolence
The rewards for excellence were substantial, reflecting a deep commitment to educational advancement. Champion Chisa Ibe was awarded a full tuition-free scholarship for his entire secondary school education, valued at ₦12 million. This life-changing prize was courtesy of the education partner, Kingsfield Schools. Additionally, he received a ₦500,000 cash gift from philanthropist Chief Adegoke Awomodu.
The spirit of generosity extended to other top performers. The first runner-up, Oghenetega Oyindamola Ovie from Cortina Nursery & Primary School, Ikorodu, and the second runner-up, Idris Mutimayina from Dihayat Rahimotil Islamic Nursery & Primary School, Amuwo Odofin, both received full secondary school scholarships. These were graciously sponsored by Oba Shotobi and his wife, Olori Kudirat Shotobi.
Demonstrating further royal benevolence, Oba Shotobi announced a ₦1 million cash prize to be shared among the first runner-up and the other finalists who reached the last round. He also pledged ₦2.5 million to support the competition's organisers.
Endorsements and Future Ambitions
In his address, Oba Shotobi commended the vision and dedication of the initiator, Mr. Temidayo Phillips, CEO of Kismet Entertainment. The monarch urged other well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to support the initiative, expressing his belief that it could grow into Africa's biggest and most rewarding educational programme.
The Chairman, Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, CON, praised the Ayangburen for his support of the noble cause. He made a significant donation of ₦2.5 million for the 2025 edition and pledged an annual support of ₦2.5 million for the next five years.
The newly decorated Patron of the competition, Dr. Dipo Arigbede, Founder of TINDIP Group of Schools—the institution that produced the champion—pledged to commit more resources and his personal network. He announced plans to take over full sponsorship of the competition starting from the 2026 edition onward.
Project Lead Mr. Temidayo Phillips expressed his joy at the programme's success, revealing that after the 2026 fifth-anniversary edition, the project aims to "break an uncommon record." The 2025 event enjoyed robust corporate sponsorship from brands like Belloxxi Biscuits, Ghadco Nigeria Ltd, Fan Milk, SLOT, and several local Ikorodu businesses.
This edition of the Oba Ayangburen And The Bee has not only rewarded academic brilliance with multi-million naira scholarships but has also successfully broken gender barriers, setting a new precedent for inclusivity and excellence in Lagos State's educational landscape.
