Maryam Yusuf, a student of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, has won the Gold Award at the 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup in Shanghai, China.

She leads Team Nigeria to a historic triumph in the Middle School Group Category.

The victory marks Nigeria's first-ever appearance at the global spelling championship and represents a major milestone for the country's growing reputation in international academic competitions.

Maryam was one of the four Nigerian students selected to represent the country at the competition.

The team also comprised Oluwadamilola Adeolu of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti, Abdurrahman Yusuf of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, and Chinedu Okediachi of Madonna International Schools, Asaba.

The quartet secured Nigeria's maiden participation in the World Cup after qualifying through the Nigeria Spelling Bee and the African Spelling Bee Championship, where they distinguished themselves among the continent's brightest young spellers.

The historic feat was announced on Sunday by the Nigeria Spelling Bee on its official Facebook page, which stated: "Team Nigeria has won the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the Spelling Bee World Cup in Shanghai, China."

Ar-Raheem International College also celebrated the success, confirming that Maryam Yusuf and Abdurrahman Yusuf both returned home with medals from the global competition, while describing the achievement as a proud moment for the institution and Nigeria.

Before travelling to China, the Nigeria Spelling Bee had described the country's participation as a landmark achievement, noting that it was the first time a Nigerian team would compete at the World Cup.

The organisers said the students' journey reflected years of hard work and excellence, beginning with the Nigeria Spelling Bee, progressing to the African Spelling Bee Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe, and culminating in qualification for the world stage.

They added that the team carried "the hopes of a nation and the pride of an entire continent" into the competition.

One of the team's standout members, Oluwadamilola Adeolu, qualified for the World Cup after emerging 2026 African Spelling Bee Junior Champion in Harare, defeating contestants from more than 30 African countries.

At the same championship, Abdurrahman Yusuf finished third, while Nigeria emerged the second-best overall team on the continent, a performance that underscored the country's growing dominance in international spelling competitions.

Ahead of the tournament, Adeolu expressed excitement at the opportunity to compete against the world's finest young spellers, saying she looked forward to improving her vocabulary, building confidence on the global stage and helping Nigeria win the championship.

That ambition was realised in Shanghai as Maryam Yusuf's gold-winning performance, alongside the impressive showing of her teammates, earned Team Nigeria the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category, bringing international recognition to the country and further cementing Nigeria's rising profile in global academic contests.