MTN Unveils 7th mPulse Spelling Bee with ₦40m Prize Pool to Foster Youth Literacy and Leadership

MTN Nigeria has launched the seventh edition of its mPulse Spelling Bee, a flagship youth literacy initiative with a prize pool exceeding ₦40 million, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing academic excellence and leadership among Nigerian students aged 9 to 15.

This year’s competition introduces a new structure with regional inclusion at its core, bringing physical contests to Ibadan (South-West), Enugu (South-East and South-South), and Abuja (North-Central, North-East, and North-West) for the first time. The expanded format will engage thousands of participants nationwide, ensuring broader access to one of Nigeria’s most recognised platforms for academic competition.

Set to begin with a practice stage on July 28, 2025, the mPulse Spelling Bee will progress through five stages: Practice, Entry Phase, Regional Qualification, Physical Regional Competitions, and the Grand Finale in Lagos. From an initial pool of thousands, the top 3,000 students will advance to regionals, with 20 finalists competing for the national title.

The overall winner will receive a ₦5 million educational grant, the title of mPulse Face of the Year, a brand-new laptop and smartphone, and the opportunity to serve as MTN CEO for a Day. Their teacher will receive ₦500,000, and the winner’s school will be awarded 10 laptops, 10 MTN 5G routers, and a ₦10 million flagship project.

Speaking at the launch, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, said:

“The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee isn’t just a competition; it’s a platform for recognition, leadership, and academic empowerment. We are proud to be enabling the next generation of innovators and leaders.”

Last year’s champion, Ikenna Ikechukwu, described the experience as transformative, noting the determination required to prepare and the confidence gained from competing at the highest level.

Now in its seventh year, the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee continues to bridge education and opportunity, using digital learning and healthy competition to strengthen literacy, comprehension, and self-belief among Nigerian youths.