MTN Nigeria mPulse Spelling Bee Returns with ₦40m Prizes and Regional Competitions

MTN Nigeria has launched the seventh edition of its mPulse Spelling Bee, a nationwide spelling competition aimed at promoting literacy and academic excellence among students aged 9 to 15. The initiative, now in its seventh year, continues to evolve with a new structure that emphasizes nationwide inclusion, featuring physical regional qualifiers in three key cities: Ibadan, Enugu, and Abuja. This edition will see thousands of students competing across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria [1].

The competition is structured in five progressive stages, beginning with a practice stage on July 28, 2025. From the initial round, the top 3,000 students—500 from each zone—will advance to the regional qualifiers. The top 20 performers will then proceed to the Grand Finale in Lagos. This year’s format includes 20 regional finalists, with seven from Ibadan and Enugu combined, and six from Abuja [3].

The initiative aligns with MTN’s broader corporate social responsibility goals, reinforcing its commitment to education and youth development. The prize pool for this year’s edition exceeds ₦40 million, with rewards distributed among students, schools, and teachers. The overall winner will receive a ₦5 million educational grant, a new laptop and smartphone, and will be named mPulse Face of the Year. Additionally, their teacher will receive ₦500,000, and the winning school will be awarded 10 laptops, 10 MTN 5G routers, and a ₦10 million flagship project [3].

Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, emphasized the significance of the competition beyond just spelling. “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,” she stated [3].

Last year’s winner, Ikenna Ikechukwu, shared his experience, noting the effort and dedication required to succeed. He emphasized how the competition builds confidence and fosters ambition. His story reflects the transformative potential of the event, not only for individual participants but for the broader educational ecosystem [3].

The timing of the 2025 edition is strategically aligned with the release of the recent WAEC results, reinforcing the importance of foundational language skills in the national education agenda. By promoting English language proficiency, the competition complements broader efforts to enhance academic performance in key subjects [5].

This year’s expansion to physical regional competitions highlights MTN’s ongoing investment in equitable access to education. The initiative not only identifies and nurtures talent but also reinforces the value of literacy as a tool for national development. As the competition progresses, it is expected to inspire thousands of participants and serve as a catalyst for conversations around education and youth empowerment [1][7].

With its growing reach and increasing prize incentives, the mPulse Spelling Bee has become a cornerstone of MTN’s educational initiatives. The competition, hosted on the mPulse website, combines digital learning with healthy competition, reinforcing literacy, comprehension, and confidence among young Nigerians. As the event continues to evolve, it remains a vital platform for recognizing and nurturing the next generation of leaders [1][9].

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[1] MTN launches 7th edition of mPulse Spelling Bee (https://technext24.com/2025/08/09/mtn-launches-2025-mpulse-spelling-bee/)

[2] Newtelegraphng - X (https://x.com/NewTelegraphNIG/status/1953800000896729466)

[3] MTN's mPulse Spelling Bee Returns with Regional Competitions and ₦40m in Prizes (https://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/mtns-mpulse-spelling-bee-returns-with-regional-competitions-and-%E2%82%A640m-in-prizes/)

[4] Education Archives (https://newtelegraphng.com/category/education/)

[5] WAEC releases correct results; 62.96% pass English, Maths (https://www.msn.com/en-xl/africa/nigeria/2025-wassce-waec-releases-correct-results-62-96-pass-english-maths/ar-AA1KaYer)

[6] TECHlife with Ugochi (https://techlifewithugo.com.ng/)

[7] MTN Launches Seventh Edition Of mPulse Spelling Bee (https://newtelegraphng.com/category/business/)

[8] “Together, We'll Keep Soaring”: Super Falcons Applaud ... (https://encomium.ng/together-well-keep-soaring-super-falcons-applaud-mtn-nigeria-after-historic-wafcon-win/)