In an exciting conclusion to the hotly contested Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant, Chidimma Adetshina has been crowned the new queen.
The grand finale, held on Saturday night at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, featured 25 contestants from various states in Nigeria, each advocating for social causes such as women empowerment, mental health and environmental sustainability.
Adetshina's victory comes after a difficult experience at the Miss South Africa pageant, where she faced criticism for her Nigerian background. However, her resilience and determination have earned her the top spot in one of Nigeria's most prestigious beauty pageants.
Historic victory
Following her victory, Silverbird Group Chairman Guy Murray-Bruce said the dark-skinned beauty will represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico. In addition to the crown, she will receive a cash prize of 10 million naira.
Overcome with emotion, Ms. Adetshina expressed her gratitude: “I feel amazing. I want to start by saying thank you to each and every one of you for your love and support. This wreath is not just for beauty; it is a call to action, and that is unity.”
Ms Adetshina, who has always been vocal about using her platform to promote inclusion, had previously stated: “As a woman who has faced adversity, I want to use my voice and the Miss Universe Nigeria platform to promote inclusion and acceptance and educate people on the power of diversity to build a strong community that benefits everyone.”
Crowning the Queen
Outgoing Miss Universe Nigeria 2023, Mitchel Ugochi Ukachukwu, and Miss Supranational Nigeria, Sectra Sede, graced the stage to present their crowns.
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The public vote played a major role, as the three contestants with the highest number of votes secured spots in the Top 10, increasing their chances of winning the title.
The contestants underwent intensive training at the Festival Hotel in Festac, Lagos, in preparation for the final event, which will no doubt be remembered as a milestone in Nigerian showbiz.
The top 10 finalists announced by the head judge included Miss Kwara, Miss Taraba, Miss Edo, Miss Ekiti, Miss Anambra, Miss Ogun, Miss Plateau, Miss Rivers, Miss Ondo and Miss Lagos.
The competition was intense and Miss Taraba (Chidimma Adetshina), Miss Rivers, Miss Ondo, Miss Edo and Miss Anambra emerged as the top five contestants. Among the judges who selected the winners were Wale Ojo, Arinola Giwa, Dozie Mbonu and Elizabeth Kingswally.
Miss Ondo, Peace Ayegbidun, was crowned Miss Lush 2024 and recognized as the most outstanding contestant.
The first runner-up, Paula Ezendu, representing Anambra State, was also awarded the title of Miss Supranational Nigeria and will represent Nigeria in Poland.
Highlights
The event began with an impressive display of cultural diversity. The participants, dressed in pink uniforms, showcased their cultural heritage during the individual cultural display and the opening dance performance.
As the evening progressed, delegates showed off their elegance during the swimsuit show and evening gown display.
A musical performance by Qing Madi added to the evening's entertainment.
Notable Guests
The event was also attended by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa, who praised the contestants.
She said: “You make me feel so proud to be a Nigerian woman and I look forward to celebrating the victory with you all. This event celebrates the beauty of Africa and every black woman.”
Ben Murray-Bruce, CEO of Silverbird, highlighted the significance of the event: “This is a celebration of Silverbird’s 44 years of existence.”
The competition was one of the most anticipated and hotly contested in recent years, with strong contenders such as Miss Rivers, Nyekachi Douglas, Miss Edo, Edeifo Aikhuele, and Miss Kwara, Ufa Dania, who garnered substantial fan support. The historical visibility and intense rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa made this year’s Miss Universe Nigeria pageant a memorable one.
Chidimma Adetshina's journey
Adetshina’s journey to the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant was marked by controversy and triumph. Born and raised in South Africa to Nigerian parents, she faced criticism while participating in the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant. This led to her withdrawing due to the backlash against her Nigerian heritage.
Following this, she received an invitation from the organizers of Miss Universe Nigeria to represent Taraba State in their 2024 pageant. She grabbed the opportunity and expressed her excitement, seeing it as a chance to showcase her dual heritage on a prominent platform.
Despite the controversy in South Africa, Chidimma has received overwhelming support from Nigerians and South Africans. Many in South Africa, who initially criticised her, have rallied around her, proud of her representation of both cultures on the Miss Universe Nigeria stage.