MTN Nigeria Launches Seventh Edition of mPulse Spelling Bee
MTN Nigeria has officially launched the seventh edition of its mPulse Spelling Bee, a national competition that has become one of the most significant youth literacy initiatives in the country. This year’s edition introduces a new structure aimed at ensuring nationwide participation and hosting physical regional competitions, with the goal of engaging thousands of students and highlighting the talents of young Nigerians across all six geopolitical zones.
The competition kicked off with a practice stage on July 28, 2025, and is open to Nigerian students aged 9 to 15 in primary and secondary schools. For the first time, regional competitions will be held physically in three cities: Ibadan for participants from the South-West, Enugu for those from the South-East and South-South, and Abuja for participants from the North-Central, North-East, and North-West. This approach ensures that every child, regardless of their region, gets an equal opportunity to learn, compete, and showcase their skills.
The mPulse Spelling Bee follows a five-stage process:
- Practice Stage: Designed to prepare participants for the competition.
- Round 1 (Entry Phase): Initial selection of participants.
- Round 2 (Regional Qualification): Top performers from each zone advance.
- Round 3 (Physical Regional Competitions): Held in the designated cities.
- Grand Finale: The final stage where the top 20 spellers compete.
From the first round, the top 3,000 students (500 per zone) will qualify for regional rounds. The best 20 spellers from across Nigeria will proceed to the Grand Finale in Lagos. Seven top finalists from the regional competitions in Ibadan and Enugu, and six from the competition in Abuja, will make up the Top 20 finalists for the Grand Finale.
This year’s prize pool exceeds ₦40 million, with rewards distributed among students, schools, and teachers. The overall winner will be crowned MTN CEO for a Day, receive a ₦5 million educational grant, and be named mPulse Face of the Year. They will also get a brand-new laptop and smartphone. Their teacher will be awarded ₦500,000, while the winner’s school will receive 10 laptops, 10 MTN 5G routers, and a ₦10 million flagship project.
Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee isn’t just a competition; it’s a platform for young Nigerians to access recognition, leadership opportunities, and academic support. We are proud to be empowering the next generation of innovators and leaders.”
Last year’s winner, Ikenna Ikechukwu, shared his experience: “Preparing for the competition meant sleepless nights. There were so many words to learn, and while it’s impossible to know them all, I aimed to master at least 60 to 70%. This platform doesn’t just reward winners; it gives you the confidence to aim higher and believe in your abilities. A special thanks to MTN for this amazing initiative that helps students learn, play, and shine.”
Now in its seventh year, the mPulse Spelling Bee continues to bridge education and opportunity, empowering young minds to grow beyond the classroom. With thousands of students set to participate, this edition aims to spark conversations, highlight regional talent, and showcase the power of words in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Hosted on the mPulse website (https://mpulse.mtn.ng), the mPulse Spelling Bee is designed to promote literacy, strengthen comprehension, and build confidence through digital learning and healthy competition.