* How niqab-wearing student helped Nigeria secure second best team in Africa
Maryam Yusuf, a niqab-wearing student of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, delivered a standout performance at the African Spelling Bee competition, held last week in Harare, Zimbabwe, where top young spellers from more than 30 African countries gathered for the continental contest.
Competing in the senior category despite being a JSS 3 student, Maryam emerged as the best Nigerian speller in the speed round, a demanding segment where participants were required to spell 20 words within one minute.
Muslim News gathered that the brilliant niqabite correctly spelled 17 words within the one minute time, recording the highest score among the five Nigerian contestants and playing a decisive role in the country’s success.
Her exceptional performance contributed significantly to Nigeria finishing as the second best team in Africa in the speed test category, achieving a combined score of 15.60, just behind South Africa, which came first with 15.66.
Following Maryam was her schoolmate, Abdurrahman Yusuf, another student of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, who also made Nigeria and the Muslim Ummah proud. Competing in the junior category, he secured third position in Africa, adding to Nigeria’s medal haul and highlighting the academic strength of their school.
Apart from the two students from Ilorin, three other Nigerian representatives participated at the competition. They include Oluwadamilola Adeolu of St Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado Ekiti, Oghenetano Idoghor of Mountain Top Schools, Lagos, and Chinedu Okediachi of Madonna International Schools, Asaba.
At the individual level, Nigeria recorded major success in the junior category as Oluwadamilola Adeolu emerged as the African champion, clinching first position.
Abdurrahman Yusuf secured third place in the same category, while Nigeria did not win an individual award in the senior category despite impressive performances led by Maryam.
How they emerged as Nigerian representatives
The achievements in Zimbabwe mark the culmination of a journey that began in Nigeria through the Nigerian Spelling Bee, an annual competition organised across all 36 states by the Nigeria Spelling Bee Foundation with the approval of the Federal Ministry of Education and in collaboration with the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC).
In Kwara State, Maryam Yusuf, a niqabite and JSS 3 student, competed in the senior category and emerged as the best speller in the state. Her schoolmate, Abdurrahman Yusuf, also distinguished himself by winning the junior category at the state level.
By virtue of their victories, both students qualified for the national finals held in Port Harcourt, where they competed among top spellers from across the country. Their performances at the national level earned them selection among the five students who represented Nigeria at the African Spelling Bee in Zimbabwe.
Principal celebrates Maryam and Abdurrahman’s continental success
Reacting to the achievement, the Principal, Ar-raheem International College, Mr. Kamor Adebayo, congratulated the students for their outstanding performance and for making the school proud on the African stage.
He said the achievement means a lot to the institution, noting that the school organised a reception for the students upon their return two days ago, with media coverage to celebrate their success.
According to him, the students are expected to represent Nigeria at the global level in China once sponsorship is secured. He called on government authorities and private organisations to support the initiative, adding that the school has already written to relevant bodies and is hopeful of receiving assistance.
For Maryam Yusuf, her journey from Ilorin to Zimbabwe is more than a competition story. It is a statement of excellence, identity, and inspiration, proving that wearing the niqab does not limit the mind, but rather accompanies determination, brilliance, and global achievement.
email: aic.ilorin@gmail.com
website: www.arraheemschools.com
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