Nigeria makes history at Miss Universe, emerges Top 5 out of over 120 contestants.
Nigeria’s representative, Chidimma Adetshina, finished as the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico.
The grand finale of the 2024 edition of the beauty pageant was held in Mexico City in the early hours of Sunday, November 17.
Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who represented Denmark, clinched the Miss Universe crown, securing Denmark’s first-ever win at the competition.
Alongside Denmark and Nigeria, other contestants that made it to the Top 12 finalists were Bolivia, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Russia, Chile, Thailand, Canada and Peru with Nigeria being the only country from the African continent.
As the show continued, Mexico, Thailand, Venezuela, Denmark, and Nigeria were in the top five. The winner and first runner-up were later announced.
The ICIR reported that despite participating in the pageant for 37 years, Nigeria has neither won the Miss Universe title nor emerged as a runner-up.
However, the country has succeeded in some categories including a top 10 finish in 2001, winner of the Miss Congeniality award in 2014, top 20 finish in 2019, and best national costume in 2021.
Adetshina’s victory is significant for Nigeria as she first made history as the first Nigerian to make it to the top 5 at the Miss Universe pageant and then emerging first runner-up.
A few hours before the finale, Adetshina in an Instagram post expressed gratitude and reflection on her journey, acknowledging the challenges and doubts she faced as many questioned her persistence despite the risks to her safety.
“Many wonder why I didn’t stop, many asked, ‘Why not let it be for now? Your life might be at risk.’ Some questioned, ‘Why isn’t she giving up? Does she crave the clout?’ I sat back, overwhelmed with so many unanswered questions as life moved faster than I could process. But do you know what? My dreams have kept me afloat.’
“To my dearest Nigerians, with open arms, you carried me on wheels made of the purest love and intentions. I still cannot fully comprehend the reasons, but what matters most is that you’ve given me a second chance at life. For a moment, my life flashed before my eyes, but in the next breath, Nigeria refuelled my purpose and my reason to live,” part of the post read.
She further expressed her gratitude to the Silverbird Group and the Miss Universe Nigeria Organisation for protecting her life and providing additional support to propel her journey forward.
The highest position Nigeria had attained at the Miss Universe beauty pageant competition was a top 10 finish when former Miss World, Agbani Darego participated at the competition in 2001.
It could be recalled that Adetshina faced a series of backlashes from South Africans after making it to the top 16 at the 2024 edition of the Miss South Africa pageant which made her withdraw from the pageant competition.
The ICIR reports that upon her withdrawal, she got invited by the Silverbird group to participate at the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria pageant competition.
Consequently, Adetshina accepted the invitation, participated and emerged winner, clinching the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 title.
Fatimah Quadri is a Journalist and a Fact-checker at The ICIR. She has written news articles, fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy in an effort to combat information disorder.
She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org
I am very glad for this lady after all she faced from South Africans
This is a test!