A Nigerian and English teacher, Adesuyi Adeola, has shared his journey of mentoring and tutoring young lads to winning more than 20 laurels.
The teacher at Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State, while sharing part of his story and journey, described himself first and foremost as a lover of words. According to him, that passion explains why he commits deeply to preparing students for spelling contests.
The graduate of Adekunle Ajasin University, located in Akungba-Akoko area of Ondo State, who has been teaching since 2016, disclosed that he never had the chance to shine in competitions as a student.
While recalling being knocked out of the only contest he attended simply because no teacher properly trained him, the teacher who recently completed his Cambridge IGCSE First Language English course shared, “During my secondary school education, I had no teacher to mentor me for academic competitions. The only one I went for…I was knocked out in the first round due to a lack of proper training. It is for this reason that I vowed to help as many talented kids as possible to achieve dreams I could not achieve when I was like them.”
That personal setback, he said, became the foundation of his lifelong commitment to coaching.
Adesuyi: From passion for words to shaping champions
Since he began teaching, Adesuyi has coached dozens of students across Nigeria. According to him, around 30 of his spellers have gone on to compete in major contests, with over 20 emerging as champions, who have emerged as state, regional and national champions in different spelling bee competitions.” and have represented Nigeria internationally, competing in countries such as Uganda, Malawi, and Dubai.
One of his spellers placed second-best in Africa, and another will represent Nigeria in Zimbabwe next year.
Adesuyi has a close connection with his students that he remembers most of them by their names, including Charles David, Adebayo Rebecca, Okache Marvel, Afolabi Mubarak, Ogunnaike Uswat, Agbaje Kanyinsola, and many more.
Highs, lows, and lessons
When asked about the most memorable part of his career, Adesuyi’s voice lights up as he recalls watching his protégés raise trophies.
“I’ve had so many exciting experiences. The best of all is the satisfaction I always feel when I watch young talents I’ve nurtured go on stage and hoist trophies as national champions.”
But the journey has not been without setbacks, saying, “Yes, on a few occasions, my spellers did not win national competitions. Of course, no one can win it all. I must say, I learnt more lessons in those few defeats than in the numerous victories I’ve had as a spelling coach.”
Awards and recognitions
Adesuyi has bagged several recognitions and awards, including two awards as Best Spelling Bee Coach in Nigeria (2025), Champion’s Coach at the Nigeria Spelling Bee (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025), Champion’s Coach at the Spelling Leaders Competition (2022, 2023), Champion’s Coach at the Intercontinental Spelling Bee (2022, 2023), Official judge at the Champion’s Spelling Bee (2024, 2025), Founder of the first virtual spelling bee in Nigeria, Winner of over 20 national competitions and 1 African title.
