Ufa Dania, a contestant at the recently concluded Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, has denied allegations that South Africans supported her to undermine Chidimma Adetshina.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Ms Dania, who made history as the first plus-size woman at the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant and represented Kwara State, witnessed a surge in votes as netizens in South Africa voted en masse for her and rallied their support on X and Facebook.
Adetshina, who had already been embroiled in controversy surrounding her participation in Miss South Africa, eventually took home the Miss Universe Nigeria crown. Even though Dania garnered the most online votes and made it into the top 10 finalists, she did not make it to the top five.
In the final results of the public voting on August 31, Miss Kwara topped the list with 51,538 votes (28.93%). Miss Taraba (Miss Adetshina) came second with 48,103 votes (26.92%) and Edo State came third with 18,068 votes (10.1%).
Voting results for the top 3 Miss Universe finalists. Photo credit: Pageant crown Instagram
In an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, Ms Dania explained why she was loved in South Africa.
At the beginning of the contest, the fashion enthusiast faced significant challenges. Internet trolls questioned her right to compete due to her size. However, this sparked a touching outpouring of support from South Africans who, after witnessing the trolls and criticism, rallied around her and appreciated her courage and determination.
The 23-year-old model said: “When all this was happening, the camp was so rigorous that I barely had time to use my phone. At first, I didn’t know what was going on in South Africa. But then, I started noticing some notifications and messages coming in. People have said ‘spite’, but I don’t think it was out of spite. Before I came to the camp, I started a series on my Instagram called ‘Road to Miss Universe Nigeria’ where I showed my personality. I think that’s where the charisma came from. People realised that you can be a queen and still have a vibrant personality.
Article page with promotion of financial support Ironic support
However, some critics have suggested that South Africans' support for Dania was a strategy against Nigerians' support for embattled finalist Adetshina, given the ongoing tension between the two countries. However, Dania believes the support she received was born out of sympathy rather than spite.
This ironic support from South Africans increased visibility and votes for the plus-size beauty queen. Many South Africans expressed that their support on social media, in support of the 25-year-old contestant, is a response to the adverse treatment she received.
Delegate of Miss Universe Nigeria Kwara
She said: “I’m not entirely sure how my page reached South Africans, but I think the positive reception was that many saw themselves in me, especially curvy, dark-skinned South African women. That was the message I got on my social media – women saying, ‘Oh yes, sister, I see myself in you. You are a true African woman. ’”
“I feel like they connected with me on a deeper level, that’s why they voted for me. I don’t think it was to spite Chidimma because, in the end, she won. They just saw something in me that others didn’t see and felt compelled to support me.”
Despite her loss in the hotly contested pageant, Ms Dania, an Abuja-based content creator and stylist who holds the title of Miss AUN from her time at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, said she wants to use her platform to challenge conventional beauty standards.
Rising above criticism
Despite the criticism she received online, the American University of Nigeria graduate stood her ground. The plus-size model also admitted that she had anxiety before applying for the pageant, but decided to take on the challenge.
She stated: “Before I applied for the pageant, I honestly had a lot of anxiety and fear about the backlash I might probably get. It’s like people’s prejudice because they always feel that beauty only comes in one form. And for someone to come out and say, ‘Oh yeah, I’m applying for this,’ it scared me. But I’m a person who tries to be bold.
“I don’t hold back. If I want to do something, I go out and do it. I decided to overcome my fears and seriously, I applied and got accepted. That alone boosted my interest in the camp activities (Miss Universe Nigeria). At the camp, I showed up and went. I made sure that even though I am not a conventional person, I must stand out regardless. I feel like I came out a different person than I was when I entered. It has boosted my confidence even more than it already was. And now I am happy for whatever comes next after this.”
Miss Universe 16 contestant, Ms. Dania
In a light-hearted moment during the interview, Dania joked about her visit to South Africa, given the support she received. “Tell South Africa to send me money and I will be there immediately. I am ready. My passport is always with me,” she said with humor.
The 23-year-old filmmaker called for unity among Africans and urged South Africans and Nigerians to put aside their differences.
“We are still one and, like Africa as a whole, it would be detrimental for us to fight each other. We need to be one to be strong and then fight the world.”
Plus Size Beauty
Reflecting on her experience at the Miss Universe Nigeria camp, Ms. Dania described it as a physical and mental challenge.
The Edo-born model mentioned that her fellow contestants were welcoming during the competition. Many said her video inspired them to participate, which created a positive and supportive environment for her to stand strong.
Ufa Dania is the first full-size woman in the Nigerian pageant
The 23-year-old content creator also compared it to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp, highlighting the rigorous schedule. She said, “It was quite a lot. For me, it was way worse than the NYSC camp. You wake up at 5 am and don’t sleep until midnight the next day,” she revealed. “Wearing high heels for long hours was particularly tough for me. The heels were my biggest struggles and the hardest part of the pageant.”
Despite these challenges, Dania encouraged other plus-size women to not doubt themselves and to embrace their potential. “Never doubt yourself or put yourself down,” she said. “You are enough; you have everything you need to succeed.”