Chidimma Adetshina, representing Taraba State, has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, achieving a significant milestone in her tumultuous journey to the top.
Story Summary:
- Chidimma Adetshina was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, representing Taraba State.
- She was forced to withdraw from Miss South Africa due to a citizenship controversy.
- Adetshina will now represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico this November.
Chidimma Adetshina rises to the throne as Miss Universe Nigeria
Chidimma Adetshina’s journey to the Miss Universe Nigeria crown was anything but smooth.
Born in Soweto, South Africa, she became embroiled in a citizenship controversy when it was revealed that her mother may have committed identity fraud when she was born.
This led to her forced withdrawal from the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant just days before the finale.
Despite the setback, Adetshina accepted an invitation to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria, where she represented Taraba State.
Her inclusion in the Nigerian pageant sparked mixed reactions from both South Africans and Nigerians, with many questioning her eligibility due to the ongoing investigation into her citizenship status.
The finale, held at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday, saw Adetshina crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, succeeding Ugochi Mitchel Ukuchukwu, Miss Universe Nigeria 2023.
Her victory was a testament to her resilience and determination to represent a country that embraces her as one of its own.
This fulfils Chidimma’s ultimate goal
Adetshina’s crowning moment marks the fulfilment of her ultimate goal: to represent a country that claims her at the global Miss Universe pageant.
In her first on-air interview following the citizenship controversy, Adetshina expressed her excitement about the opportunity to represent Nigeria on the world stage.
“I am excited, I am feeling good. Where I am. So good right now. I feel good to be home, and I don’t have words I think I’m too excited,” she said.
She also shared her love for Nigeria, highlighting the culture, food, and warmth she experienced upon her return.
“The culture, the food, I’ve been eating so much since I got here, and I just love how welcoming they are from the moment I stepped into Nigeria I felt the love, the support, the warmth, the energy is high, skyrocket high,” she added.
Her advocacy as Miss Universe Nigeria will focus on inclusion, unity, and acceptance, undoubtedly shaped by her experience in South Africa and the challenges she faced during the competition.
What prizes she wins as the new Miss Universe Nigeria
As Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, Chidimma Adetshina not only gains the prestigious opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico on 16 November 2024, but she also receives a significant cash prize of ₦10 million, which is approximately R250,000.
In addition to the monetary reward, Adetshina will receive various other prizes, adding to the recognition and responsibility that come with her new title.
The Miss Universe Nigeria pageant was marked by a series of awards, with the first runner-up, Miss Anambra (Paula Ezendu), crowned Miss Supranational Nigeria, earning her the chance to represent Nigeria at the Miss Supranational beauty pageant in Poland.
The second runner-up, representing Ondo State, Peace Ayegbidun, was crowned Miss Lush 2024, while other contestants also received prizes for their performances in various categories.
