Chidimma Adetshina wins Miss Universe Nigeria after rejection in South Africa

Chidimma Adetshina, who was forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant due to harassment regarding her nationality, has been proclaimed the beauty queen of Nigeria.

Ms Adetshina was filled with joy amidst tears as she was named Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday, August 31.

“This crown is not just for beauty; it’s a call for unity. I am really proud and grateful that I am going to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe, and I know we are going to win,” the 23-year-old law student stated.

She was invited to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria after she withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant over nationality row.

Adetshina will represent Nigeria at the global Miss Universe pageant in Mexico in November.

Some people in South Africa had questioned her eligibility to compete in the beauty pageant because despite being a South African citizen, Ms Adetshina’s father is Nigerian and her mother has Mozambican roots.

In interviews Ms Adetshina said she was born in Soweto – the South African township next to Johannesburg – and grew up in Cape Town.

The row over her nationality sparked an investigation with the organisers of Miss South Africa asking the nation’s home affairs department to look into her eligibility.

After an initial probe, the department announced that Miss Adetshina’s mother may have committed “identity theft” to become a South African national.