Few stories in the history of beauty pageants have captivated the public’s curiosity and attention like that of Chidimma Adetshina, the newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. Her path to the crown has been anything but conventional, marked by scandal and an unlikely return.
Chidimma’s journey to the Miss Universe Nigeria crown began in the most unexpected of places: South Africa. Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father, she competed in the Miss South Africa 2024 competition. However, her participation was cut short when accusations of identity fraud against her mother emerged, forcing the 23-year-old law student to withdraw from the contest last month “for the safety of my family,” amid responses that reflected anti-foreigner attitudes.
Despite this setback, the Miss Universe Nigeria organization, sponsored by Silverbird Group, extended an invitation to her, recognizing her Nigerian roots and promise. This invitation marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, as she returned to Nigeria for the second time in 20 years.
Chidimma’s entry into the Miss Universe Nigeria competition elicited mixed reactions. On one side, there was enthusiasm and support from those who saw her as a symbol of Nigerian-South African unity. On the other hand, there were suspicions of favoritism and accusations that the pageant was “rigged” to ensure her victory.
Representing Taraba State, Chidimma relished the opportunity to immerse herself more in Nigerian culture. “I’m looking forward to visiting Taraba State and learning more about its culture. I still have a lot to learn about Taraba State and Nigeria as a whole,” she said.
Despite her victory, Chidimma’s journey was fraught with challenges. She faced significant online criticism, particularly from South Africans who felt her participation in the Nigerian contest was unjust. This was in stark contrast to the relatively minor response received by a Caucasian South African candidate who won another pageant around the same time.
Chidimma spoke with the BBC about the xenophobic insults she endured and expressed a desire to seek therapy to cope with the trauma. “I come from Cape Town, which has a significant Nigerian population. 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 stemmed from the anger of South Africans and the historical tensions between our countries,” she explained.
Chidimma’s story resonated with many Nigerians, who believed the contest was unfairly biased in her favor. There was sympathy for the other contestants who had fought hard to reach the final stage, only to see Chidimma receive the title on what they perceived as a silver platter.
Despite all the controversy, Chidimma remains optimistic about her role in fostering connections between Nigeria and South Africa. “As I accept this honor, I am eager to share a vision that burns deeply within me—a vision of African unity and peaceful coexistence,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. “Let’s break down the barriers that divide us. Let’s foster a continent where every African can move freely without prejudice, pursue their dreams, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our great continent,” she added.
