The recognition came with a combined cash reward of ₦8 million shared between the young champion, her coach, and her school, alongside a pledge to support her international academic journey.
At a reception held in Ado Ekiti, Governor Biodun Oyebanji received Adeolu, her mother, her coach, and representatives of St Lawrence Metropolitan College, describing her achievement as a symbol of the state’s long-standing tradition of educational excellence.
₦8 million reward for excellence
As part of the state’s appreciation, the governor announced a structured financial reward package: ₦2 million for Adeolu, ₦1 million for her coach, Esther Omolayo, and ₦5 million for her school.
He also confirmed that the state government would sponsor Adeolu, her mother, her coach, and additional representatives of her school to attend the upcoming World Spelling Bee Championship in China later this year.
The gesture, he said, reflects the administration’s broader strategy of encouraging academic excellence through tangible incentives.
A message of pride and ambition
Governor Oyebanji praised the young champion for bringing honour to both Ekiti State and Nigeria, describing her success as a reflection of discipline, diligence, and the state’s deep-rooted culture of academic achievement.
He reiterated that education remains a central pillar of his administration’s development agenda, adding that ongoing reforms are focused on strengthening infrastructure, improving teacher capacity, and modernising curriculum content to meet 21st-century demands.
According to him, the goal is to ensure a balance between “what is taught, how it is taught, and where it is taught,” in order to align learning outcomes with both national and global expectations.
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| Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and the 14-year-old Ekiti-born Oluwadamilola Adeolu, who recently emerged winner of the African Spelling Bee competition...Photo Credit: EKSG |
The governor also highlighted continuing efforts to reposition the education sector across all levels in Ekiti State—from primary to tertiary institutions—as well as informal learning systems.
He stressed that rewarding outstanding students is part of a deliberate policy to inspire both learners and educators to pursue excellence consistently.
“After conquering Africa, what is next is to conquer the world,” he said, expressing confidence that Adeolu’s upcoming participation in China would further elevate the state’s reputation.
School and community response
Speaking at the event, the proprietor of St Lawrence Metropolitan College, Lawrence Oluwafemi, commended the state government’s sustained investment in education, noting that such policies have contributed significantly to improved academic outcomes in recent years.
He described the reward as a powerful encouragement not only for the champion but also for students and teachers across the state, reinforcing the value of hard work and discipline.
A young champion’s gratitude
In her remarks, Adeolu expressed appreciation to the governor for the recognition and support, particularly the sponsorship to represent Africa at the global competition in China. She described the gesture as both an honour and a motivation to aim for even greater achievements.
The recognition of Adeolu underscores a growing emphasis in Ekiti State on nurturing academic talent and linking educational success with visible, meaningful rewards—an approach officials believe will sustain the state’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s strongest centres of learning.