MTN Nigeria has kicked off the seventh edition of its popular mPulse Spelling Bee, expanding the competition to ensure greater nationwide inclusion with the introduction of physical regional contests across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Launched with a practice stage on July 28, 2025, the competition is open to primary and secondary school students aged 9 to 15. This year, regional rounds will be hosted in Ibadan (South-West), Enugu (South-East and South-South), and Abuja (North-Central, North-East, and North-West), ensuring more students can participate regardless of location.
The contest will run through five progressive stages, from the practice stage to the Grand Finale in Lagos. From Round 1, the top 3,000 students (500 per zone) will move to the regional phase, and the 20 best spellers nationwide will advance to the finals.
The prize pool for 2025 exceeds ₦40 million, with benefits for winners, their teachers, and their schools. The overall champion will be crowned MTN CEO for a Day, receive a ₦5 million educational grant, a laptop, a smartphone, and the title of mPulse Face of the Year. Their teacher will receive ₦500,000, while their school will get 10 laptops, 10 MTN 5G routers, and a ₦10 million flagship project. “The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee is more than a competition , it’s a platform for recognition, leadership, and growth,” said Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria.
Last year’s winner, Ikenna Ikechukwu, shared that the contest required “sleepless nights and determination,” but gave him lasting confidence and skills.
Since its inception, the mPulse Spelling Bee has remained a flagship initiative for promoting literacy, improving comprehension, and boosting confidence among young Nigerians, while showcasing the power of words to shape the nation’s future.
The competition is hosted on the mPulse portal: https://mpulse.mtn.ng.
