- Chidimma Adetshina crowned Miss Universe Nigeria after controversy
- Xenophobic backlash forces her out of Miss South Africa contest
- Adetshina to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe, triumphs over adversity
Chidimma Adetshina, who was recently forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant due to nationality disputes, has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria. Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, received the title on Saturday and expressed her joy with heartfelt words.
“This crown is not just for beauty; it’s a call for unity,” Adetshina declared, reflecting on the intense media scrutiny she faced in recent weeks. Her journey to the Miss Universe Nigeria crown came after a storm of controversy over her eligibility in the Miss South Africa competition.
Adetshina’s participation in the Miss South Africa pageant was marred by questions about her nationality. Despite being a South African citizen, her Nigerian father and Mozambican mother led some to challenge her right to compete. Born in Soweto and raised in Cape Town, Adetshina’s mixed heritage became a focal point for criticism and xenophobia.
The Miss South Africa organizers requested an investigation from the home affairs department regarding Adetshina’s eligibility. The probe led to allegations that her mother might have engaged in identity fraud to obtain South African citizenship. The department’s findings indicated that Adetshina was too young to have been involved in any such actions. Following these revelations, Adetshina decided to withdraw from the competition for the sake of her family’s safety and wellbeing.
The fallout from the controversy drew international attention, leading to an invitation from the Miss Universe Nigeria organizers. They offered Adetshina the chance to represent her father’s homeland on a global stage.
Adetshina’s victory in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant qualifies her to compete in the Miss Universe competition scheduled for November. The announcement of her win has elicited a mix of support and criticism on social media.
Supporters have praised Adetshina’s resilience and expressed pride in her achievement. “Your story is inspirational – you are stronger than you think and we love you our African sister,” one South African woman wrote on Instagram. Another supporter stated, “Trust me guys we Nigerians are proud of her… she’s our very own sister, a very smart, intelligent girl, our Nigerian blood runs through her veins.”
However, the victory has also sparked allegations of favoritism. Some critics claim that the pageant was “rigged” and accuse the organizers of bias. One Instagram user commented, “She’s undeserving… she has never lived in Nigeria and was merely invited to compete after the final delegates had been chosen.”
As Adetshina prepares for the Miss Universe competition, she will face competition from Mia le Roux, who won this year’s Miss South Africa title after Adetshina’s exit. Le Roux made history as the first deaf woman to win the crown.
