The third edition of the Scientific Spelling Bee Competition (SPELBEC-Science) took place on Sept. 6 at the U of M auditorium. The competition, which began in 2010, has grown steadily in participation and momentum, bringing students, teachers and community members together to celebrate science and learning.
The event is the initiative of Titus Olukitibi, a postdoctoral fellow in medical microbiology and infectious diseases at the U of M. Olukitibi explained that the idea started in Nigeria in 2010, when he was still an undergraduate. “I wanted to give back to my alma mater, Ogedengbe School of Science,” he said. “I created SPELBEC-Science to help students become familiar with scientific terms and their meanings.” After moving to Canada, he co-founded Raising the Foundations of Generations Inc. (RFGimpacts), a faith-based non-profit that has anchored the competition in Manitoba since 2023.
Unlike a typical spelling bee, participants prepare with a guide containing more than 300 scientific words and definitions. Parents, according to Olukitibi, appreciate the way it keeps their children engaged and curious during the summer. The event also integrates mentorship, with professionals from CancerCare Manitoba, the National Microbiology Laboratory and the U of M giving talks.
Feedback from teachers and families has been positive. “Participation has grown rapidly, from 20 registered students in 2023 to 64 in 2024 and 102 in 2025,” Olukitibi said. Teachers, he explained, often comment that the competition complements classroom learning, while parents notice their children growing in confidence. “For many families, the competition is less about winning and more about the exposure and opportunities it provides,” he said.
Funding the initiative has been a challenge, but community support has made it possible. “Our team is entirely volunteer-based. We are driven by passion, faith and the belief that these efforts will inspire the next generation,” Olukitibi said.
The competition has also led to broader opportunities. In 2024, for example, the schools of the winners received scientific equipment donated by professor Keith Fowke, head of medical microbiology at the U of M.
Olukitibi connects his outreach directly to his research. Awarded the Dr. Dick Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2024, he focuses on immune responses in HIV and HPV co-infections. As part of the fellowship, he organized an essay competition and workshop on sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBI) prevention, where high school students prepared posters and presented them to middle school students and spelling bee participants. “For me, science is not only about discovery in the lab — it’s about bridging knowledge to the next generation,” he said.
This year’s winners were Jemimah Kenneth-Egbadon of Springs Christian Academy in first place, Fiyinfoluwa Olukeye of General Byng School in second place and Chimamanda Ezenwata, also of General Byng School, in third place. Olukitibi said what set them apart was their calmness under pressure and their depth of preparation. He recalled a moment that touched him as Jemimah’s family celebrated her win. “Her mother shared how Jemimah trusted the Holy Spirit to guide her during the competition [which] perfectly reflects our vision at RFGimpacts — to inspire youth academically, spiritually and personally.”
To learn more about past events and stay updated on future editions of SPELBEC-Science, visit www.rfgimpacts.org.
