A 14-year-old student from Ekiti State, Adeolu Oluwadamilola Ooreofe, has emerged champion of the junior category at the 2026 African Spelling Bee held in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado Ekiti student defeated contestants from over 20 African countries, including South Africa, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Malawi, to clinch the continental title.
Damilola’s journey to victory saw her win at the state level, finish second nationally in Port Harcourt, and ultimately rise to the top on the African stage.
She was awarded a $5,000 educational scholarship and a plaque for her performance.
The young champion had previously recorded impressive results, including second place in the 2023 MTN Spelling Bee, second in the 2024 Ekiti Spelling Bee, fifth in the 2025 Africa Spelling Bee, and second in the 2025 Nigeria Spelling Bee.
She was coached by award-winning tutor Gbenga Julius.
Damilola is now set to represent Africa at the World Spelling Bee in China later this year.
