Nigeria will host the 7th African Spelling Bee ,ASB, from April 9 to 13, marking the first time the prestigious event will be held in a West African country.
Mr. Abdulsalam Ibrahim, the National Coordinator of the Nigeria Spelling Bee, made the announcement during an interview on Monday.
The ASB has been previously held in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi.
This year, the Nigeria Spelling Bee, under the Bee Spelling Competition Initiative, will serve as the Local Organising Committee for the event.
The competition is endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education and conducts spelling contests across Nigeria, representing the country in international events such as the ASB.
Ibrahim explained that the African Spelling Bee was established to celebrate the African child, inspire literacy, and provide a platform for building confidence and connections among young learners.
The competition aims to promote literacy and academic excellence while fostering a strong reading culture, developing self-esteem, and enhancing interpersonal skills.
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It also strives to build human capital through capacity development and encourage community-based partnerships that highlight the cultural diversity and unity of African children.
The 2025 ASB will bring together top National Spelling Bee champions from over 20 African countries, including Benin, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
“The ASB embodies the spirit of Pan-Africanism by uniting young people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate linguistic skills and cultural heritage,” Ibrahim said. “Through spelling contests, African general knowledge quizzes, and cultural exchanges, the event promotes unity and mutual respect among participants, fostering a generation ready to lead and transform the continent.”
Ibrahim also noted Nigeria’s strong performance in previous ASB editions, with Nigerian spellers having won multiple titles.
He mentioned that this year, the country’s team is preparing to defend the Senior Championship title won by Praises Minabowa in the last competition, underlining Nigeria’s commitment to educational excellence and youth development.
The event in Abuja is expected to be the largest edition yet, with more than 20 African countries sending their top six champions to compete for the coveted African Spelling Bee title in both the senior and junior categories.
Ibrahim emphasized that the event will not only be a competition but also a celebration of Africa’s linguistic and cultural heritage, showcasing the continent’s dedication to fostering education, unity, and excellence among its youth.
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