In the vibrant world of beauty pageants, few stories have captured the public’s imagination and attention as much as that of Chidimma Adetshina, the newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024.
Her journey to the crown has been anything but conventional, marked by controversy and an unexpected comeback.
A Rocky Start
Chidimma Adetshina’s path to the Miss Universe Nigeria crown began in the most unexpected of places—South Africa. Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father, Chidimma was initially a contestant in the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant. However, her participation was cut short when allegations of identity fraud against her mother surfaced, and the 23-year-old law student was forced to pull out of the contest last month “for the safety of my family” after a backlash that exposed anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa.
Despite this setback, the Miss Universe Nigeria organisation, run by Silverbird Group, extended an invitation to her, recognising her Nigerian heritage and the potential she held. This invitation marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one that would see her travel to Nigeria for the second time in 20 years.
“There is enough racism in the world,” Nigeria’s Miss Universe founder Guy Murray-Bruce said in an interview.
“We shouldn’t be fighting with one another. I want Africa, the black continent, to be united.”
“It has been very hard,” Adetshina admitted at her Lagos hotel, where she met up with the other contestants for the first time.
The other 24 women vying for the crown were more than happy to welcome — and defend — their new “sister”.
“Beauty contests are supposed to be places filled with love,” said Lucille Oputa, 25, representing the capital Abuja.
Fortunately, “Nigeria is not xenophobic like South Africa”, she insisted.
The Road to Miss Universe Nigeria
Chidimma’s entry into the Miss Universe Nigeria competition was met with mixed reactions. On one hand, there was excitement and support from those who saw her as a symbol of unity between Nigeria and South Africa. On the other hand, there were whispers of favouritism and allegations that the pageant was “cooked” to ensure her victory.
“The South Africans must understand that we are all humans,” added Chioma Ogbonna, a 27-year-old Canadian-Nigerian representing Plateau State, who like Adetshina is a dual national.
“I hope that Chidimma can live her dream here in Nigeria,” she added.
She said it would be unthinkable for her in Canada to be discriminated against for her dual nationality.
Miss Ekiti, Esther Gabriel, who is representing the southwestern state, was equally supportive.
“I want to build bridges with my sisters, whatever their race, their tribe, their language or colour — we are all humans,” said the 30-year-old.
“Honestly, coming into the competition, I was a bit anxious because of the comments that I’ve been seeing on social media,” Chidimma admitted in an interview with Channels TV. “I understand if the other contestants felt like I didn’t go through the whole process that they went through. However, the support and love I’ve received from them have been amazing”.
Representing Taraba State, Chidimma embraced the opportunity to learn more about Nigerian culture. “I’m looking forward to going to Taraba State and learning more about the culture. There’s still a lot more that I need to learn, not only about Taraba State but also about Nigeria as a whole”.
As the crown was placed on her head, Chidimma’s emotions were palpable. “This is a gift, honestly. I’m grateful to the judges for seeing that spark in me and giving me the chance to share my story with the world. I’ve wanted to be a queen and represent Nigeria for quite a long time”, she stated in a sit down with Channels TV the morning after her crowning.
The Backlash and Support
Despite her victory, Chidimma’s journey was not without its challenges. She faced significant online bullying, particularly from some South Africans who felt that her participation in the Nigerian pageant was unfair. The contrast was stark when compared to the relatively little backlash faced by a Caucasian South African contestant who won a different pageant around the same time.
In a BBC interview, Chidimma opened up about the xenophobic abuse she faced and expressed her desire to seek therapy to cope with the trauma. “I come from Cape Town, which is really populated with Nigerians. I wasn’t aware of the rivalry between the two countries until I participated in the pageant. The backlash wasn’t really directed at me; it was because of the anger from South Africans and the history between our countries”.
Chidimma’s story resonated with many Nigerians who felt that the pageant was manipulated to ensure her victory. There was a sense of pity for the other contestants who had worked hard to reach the final stage, only to see the crown handed to Chidimma on what they perceived as a silver platter.
Despite the controversy, Chidimma remains hopeful about her role as a bridge between Nigeria and South Africa. “I represent both countries. Although I was born in South Africa, I have Nigerian blood, and I feel like there’s so much more we can do together. We are far divided, and we have a lot of work to do to unite as one”.
Her reign as Miss Universe Nigeria is not just about wearing a crown; it’s about fostering unity and understanding between two nations with a complex history. “We want this crown to come to Nigeria this year. We’re working steadfastly to make sure that I’m prepared and ready to take that crown”.
The Rise of Ufa Dania
Another contestant in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant also made waves. Ufa Dania, representing Kwara State, was the first plus-size contestant in the competition. Her participation was a groundbreaking moment, and she received an outpouring of support online, particularly from South Africans.
Dania, 25, said she sympathised with Adetshina having suffered online harassment herself as “the very first plus-sized woman to take part in this contest”.
Ignoring the critics, she said she saw the beauty pageant as a means of “empowerment” for women to “show their talents, their beauty, their intellect and their professional life”.
Outgoing Queen
As Chidimma begins her reign, she follows in the footsteps of Mitchel Ugochi Ukachukwu, the outgoing Miss Universe Nigeria. Mitchel’s tenure was marked by her marriage to Nicholas Ukachukwu, a union that made headlines due to the significant age gap between the couple.
Mitchel’s story is a reminder of the diverse paths that beauty queens can take after their reigns. Her marriage and the public’s reaction to it highlighted the societal expectations and pressures faced by women in the spotlight.
As she prepares for the Miss Universe pageant, Chidimma remains focused on her goal of bringing the crown to Nigeria. “For now, Nigeria is home, and I need to prepare so I can be focused and ready”.
