Chidimma Adetshina, representing Taraba State, has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. Her journey to this prestigious title has been marked by resilience and grace, echoing the challenges she faced during her previous attempt to compete in the Miss South Africa Beauty Pageant.
Adetshina’s victory was announced on Saturday night through a video post by Africa Fact Zone on X (formerly Twitter), which stated, “Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina has emerged as Miss Universe Nigeria 2024.” According to Pop Pulse, a South African-based media entertainment channel, she will represent Nigeria on the global stage at the Miss Universe grand finale in Mexico this November.
In her acceptance speech, Adetshina emphasized that her win was not just a personal achievement but a call for unity among Nigerians. “This crown is not just for beauty; it’s a call for unity,” she declared, highlighting the broader significance of her victory.
Adetshina’s path to Miss Universe Nigeria has been anything but smooth. Earlier this year, the 23-year-old law student withdrew from the Miss South Africa Beauty Pageant following public criticism in South Africa.
Many South Africans questioned her eligibility to compete, pointing out that she was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother. Despite being a naturalized South African, the intense scrutiny and threats to her family led her to pull out of the competition.
Following her withdrawal, Guy Murray-Bruce, the National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria, extended an invitation for her to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant.
Last week, Adetshina expressed her excitement about the opportunity to reconnect with her Nigerian roots. “It’s been 20 years since I’ve been here, so I just want to get to know more about Nigeria’s culture and where I really come from,” she shared.
Adetshina’s determination to win the Miss Universe Nigeria crown was evident throughout the competition. “My goal is to obviously win the crown for Miss Universe Nigeria,” she stated confidently before the pageant.
The journey to the crown began on August 24, when 24 contestants arrived at the iconic Festival Hotel in Festac, Lagos, for the official start of the Miss Universe Nigeria camp. The pageant, which was established in 2023 as a spin-off from the renowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant organized by Silverbird Communications, has quickly become a prominent platform for showcasing Nigeria’s beauty and cultural diversity.
Adetshina will represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe grand finale in Mexico this November. Her victory not only celebrates her beauty and talent but also emphasizes the importance of unity and cultural pride in Nigeria.