President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated 14-year-old Adeolu Oluwadamilola Oreofe on winning the 2026 African Spelling Bee Champion in the Junior Category of the competition held recently in Harare, Zimbabwe.

A statement from the State House, Abuja, indicated that Oreofe, a student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado Ekiti, defeated contestants from over 20 African countries to claim the continental crown, rewarded with a $5,000 educational scholarship.

The State House Statement indicated that the President acknowledged that the outstanding achievement reflected the importance of sustained investment in education, literacy, and youth development.

He applauded the student's dedication, as well as the unwavering support of parents, teachers, and mentors who contributed to this remarkable success.

The President noted that Oreofe did not allow earlier disappointments to deter her from her determination to reach the top.

She finished 2nd at the 2023 MTN Spelling Bee and the 2024 Ekiti State Spelling Bee. She, then, placed 5th at the 2025 African Spelling Bee and 2nd at the 2025 Nigeria Spelling Bee, before clinching the 1st prize this year in the continental championship.