And the Winner Is…. Check Out Top Moments from the 2024 mPulse Spelling Bee Grand Finale
The air was electric as the announcer revealed the last word: “Cornucopia.” After a pause, the contestant confidently spelled the word, and the room erupted into applause—the 2024 mPulse Spelling Bee Champion had been crowned!
The grand finale, held at MTN Rooftop, Ikoyi, Lagos, was nothing short of spectacular. With the top 20 spellers from across Nigeria competing for the coveted title, the event showcased not just impressive vocabulary skills but also the determination and brilliance of the nation’s young minds. Streamed live on the mPulse website – mpulse.mtn.ng, myMTN app and on Event channels 198 and 49 on both DSTV and GOTV, it captivated audiences far beyond the venue.
The newly crowned champion, 15-year-old Ikenna Ikechukwu, stood joyful as he was handed the winning trophy and cheque. His prizes included a ₦5 million scholarship, a laptop, a smartphone, and a mPulse goody bag. His school, Glorious Covenant School will receive an ICT lab with 10 laptops and 10 MTN 5G Router, a reward that had his teachers cheering louder than ever. “This opportunity has been truly life-changing,” Ikenna Ikechukwu shared. “I thank my parents, my coach, and my school for their unwavering support. A special thanks to MTN for this amazing platform that helps students learn, play, and shine.”
The event kicked off with a voucher giveaway session with the audience setting the stage for an exhilarating competition. Judges included Titus Bankole, Oludolapo Adewale, and Oleander Yuba, with Bibilomo George serving as the Timekeeper. Words like “Querulous,” “Languid,” and “Nidicolous” tested the finalists, leaving the audience in awe of their spelling prowess. Parents, teachers, and students watched with bated breath. The cheers were deafening when finalists spelled difficult words correctly, and the collective sighs when errors were made reflected the emotional investment of the crowd.
As part of his win, Ikenna Ikechukwu will serve as MTN’s CEO for a day, an experience that underscores the competition’s focus on inspiring leadership and excellence.
Obiageli Ugboma, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, MTN Nigeria, shared at the event, “It is inspiring to see the incredible effort these 20 finalists have put in to make it this far. At MTN, we are deeply committed to education and nurturing young talents. The mPulse Spelling Bee reflects our belief in empowering the next generation.”
The mPulse Spelling Bee has proven to be more than a contest—it’s a celebration of literacy, critical thinking, and young talent. Over the years, it has become a cornerstone of MTN’s commitment to fostering education in Nigeria. By engaging over 30,000 students annually, the initiative has sparked a love for learning in countless children.
As Ikenna Ikechukwu prepares for his day as MTN CEO, the other finalists also celebrate their achievements, receiving scholarships, laptops, and goody bags. For MTN, the 2024 mPulse Spelling Bee is another milestone in their journey of empowering the next generation.
The 2024 mPulse Spelling Bee has come to an end, but its impact will resonate for years. As Ikenna Ikechukwu takes his well-deserved victory lap, one thing is clear—Nigeria’s future is in bright, capable hands.
