President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed 14-year-old Nigerian student, Adeolu Oluwadamilola Oreofe, following her remarkable victory at the 2026 African Spelling Bee Championship, where she emerged winner of the junior category after competing against contestants from more than 20 African countries.
Oreofe, a student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College in Ado Ekiti, clinched the prestigious continental title during the competition held in Harare, Zimbabwe, bringing pride and international recognition to Nigeria through her outstanding academic brilliance and determination. Her triumph also earned her a $5,000 educational scholarship, further rewarding years of persistence and excellence in spelling competitions across the continent.
In a statement released by the Presidency through the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the teenager’s achievement as a shining example of what Nigerian youths can accomplish when given the right support, encouragement and educational opportunities. The President noted that Oreofe’s success was not just a personal victory, but a national accomplishment capable of inspiring millions of young Nigerians to pursue academic excellence and personal growth...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Tinubu stressed that the victory reflects the importance of sustained investment in education, literacy and youth development, adding that his administration remains committed to strengthening the nation’s education sector to enable Nigerian students compete favourably on the global stage. He praised the young champion for her resilience, discipline and dedication, while also acknowledging the vital roles played by her parents, teachers and mentors in nurturing her talent.
What has made Oreofe’s victory even more inspiring is the journey leading up to her continental success. Before finally claiming the African title in 2026, she had experienced several close attempts in previous competitions. She finished second at the 2023 MTN Spelling Bee, came second again at the 2024 Ekiti State Spelling Bee, placed fifth at the 2025 African Spelling Bee, and later emerged runner-up at the 2025 Nigeria Spelling Bee competition. Rather than give up after repeated near victories, the young student continued to improve until she eventually rose to the top of Africa’s spelling stage.
The President said Oreofe’s story demonstrates the rewards of perseverance and hard work, especially among young people striving to excel academically despite challenges. He added that her accomplishment has once again shown that Nigerian students possess the intelligence, creativity and competitive spirit needed to shine globally when provided with adequate support systems.
The Ekiti State Government had earlier honoured the young spelling champion with cash rewards and pledged sponsorship support for her, alongside her mother and coach, to represent Africa at the forthcoming World Spelling Bee Championship scheduled to take place in China. The move has been widely praised as a strong commitment toward encouraging academic excellence and rewarding outstanding young talents in the country.
Oreofe’s victory has continued to attract nationwide admiration from educators, parents and Nigerians on social media, many of whom described her achievement as a powerful reminder that excellence in academics deserves as much celebration as success in entertainment and sports. Her emergence as Africa’s spelling champion has also renewed conversations about the need for increased investment in education, talent discovery and intellectual competitions capable of preparing young Nigerians for global relevance.
For many Nigerians, the teenager’s success story represents hope, resilience and the enormous potential hidden within the nation’s youth population.
