Two pupils from Ar Raheem International College in Ilorin, Maryam Yusuf, 14, and Abdurrahman Yusuf, 12, have been chosen to represent Nigeria at the 2026 World Spelling Bee Championships in Shanghai, China. Their selection follows a strong showing at the African Spelling Bee Competition held in March 2026 in Harare, Zimbabwe, where Nigeria placed second in the continent's speed‑test category with a combined score of 15.60, just behind South Africa's 15.66. The global contest is slated for 10 July to 20 July 2026 and will feature participants from nations including China, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United States and Canada. Team Nigeria also comprises Oluwadamilola Adeolu of St Lawrence Metropolitan College, Oghenetano Idoghor of Mountain Top Schools and Chinedu Okediachi of Madonna International Schools. The African Spelling Bee Council praised the team's performance, while the Executive Council urged government bodies and private organisations to fund the delegation. An Islamic newspaper reported that Ekiti State governor Biodun Oyebanji has fully sponsored Adeolu's team and awarded N8 million in cash gifts, and Delta State has similarly backed its contestant. Ar Raheem's principal, Mr Kamor Adebayo, said the school needs US$18,660 to cover travel, visas and logistics for the two students and a tutor, and has appealed to Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for assistance.
The disparity between the swift sponsorship extended to Ekiti's representative and the pending aid for the Kwara duo underscores uneven state commitment to youth talent. While the African Spelling Bee Council highlighted the team's academic excellence, the principal's plea for US$18,660 reveals a funding gap that could hinder the students' participation. Without additional backing, the two Ilorin scholars risk missing a rare chance to showcase Nigerian intellect on a world stage, a loss that would affect the morale of aspiring spellers across Kwara. This episode reflects a broader pattern where state support for educational contests varies markedly, influencing which regions can fully capitalize on international opportunities.
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