By Ayomide Otitoju
MTN Nigeria has announced the eighth edition of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee, opening entries to primary and secondary school students aged between nine and 15 across the country.
The nationwide literacy competition will run from July 20 to November 28, 2026, combining online participation with regional physical contests before culminating in a live grand finale in Lagos.
The telecommunications company said finalists will compete for scholarships, cash prizes, ICT devices and the opportunity to serve as “MTN CEO for a Day.”
According to MTN Nigeria, the initiative is part of its commitment to promoting education and youth development by rewarding academic excellence, encouraging learning and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to realise their potential.
This year’s edition introduces an expanded format aimed at increasing participation nationwide. Three regional contests will be held in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Abeokuta, bringing together qualifiers from the country’s six geopolitical zones before the national finals.
The competition will begin with online practice and qualifying rounds on the mPulse platform, allowing students from across Nigeria to participate remotely. The top 3,000 participants—500 from each geopolitical zone—will advance to the regional stage, while the best performers will secure places in the Lagos grand finale, where 20 finalists will compete for prizes worth up to ₦40 million.
In addition to rewarding outstanding students, the competition will also recognise schools and teachers that promote academic excellence. Top-performing schools in each region stand to receive prizes of up to ₦1 million, while exceptional teachers will also be rewarded.
Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said the competition provides young Nigerians with a platform to learn, compete and pursue their aspirations.
She said the combination of digital participation and regional competitions ensures talented students, regardless of location, have an equal opportunity to showcase their abilities on a national stage.
“Beyond recognising academic excellence, the competition equips young people with confidence, resilience and the belief that hard work and determination can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.
MTN noted that the competition has continued to transform the lives of participants by recognising academic excellence and creating opportunities for personal growth. It cited the success of the 2025 winner, Oreoluwa Alayande, who emerged champion after outperforming finalists from across the country to earn the “MTN CEO for a Day” title, alongside scholarships, cash prizes and ICT devices.
Eligible students can participate by registering or logging into their profiles on the mPulse platform, completing the practice tests and proceeding to the entry stage when ready.
MTN Nigeria said the mPulse Spelling Bee remains one of its flagship education initiatives, leveraging technology to expand access to learning and empower young Nigerians to develop their talents and achieve their full potential.
