In a triumphant turn of events, Chidimma Adetshina, a former Miss South Africa contestant, was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday in Lagos, following a tumultuous few weeks marred by controversy and xenophobia.
Adetshina, 23, was born to a Nigerian father in South Africa but found herself at the centre of a nationality dispute that ignited anti-foreigner sentiments in South Africa. The backlash prompted her to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition, citing concerns for her safety and that of her family.
Her selection as a Miss South Africa finalist in July sparked a wave of xenophobic attacks, fueled by allegations that her mother might have stolen the identity of a South African woman. These claims further fueled the controversy surrounding her participation in the competition, despite her absence from the country for the past 20 years.
In a gesture of solidarity, the organizers of the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant extended an invitation to Adetshina, offering her the chance to represent her father’s homeland on an international platform.
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Despite the challenges, Adetshina affirmed her love for South Africa and expressed gratitude for the support she received from the country. With the crown of Miss Universe Nigeria, she will now go on to represent Nigeria at the international Miss Universe competition in November, where she hopes to bring pride to both her Nigerian and South African roots.
