In a historic moment at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant held at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina made history as the first Nigerian to finish as the first runner-up in the competition.
Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe 2024, winning the prestigious title in a spectacular ceremony.
Adetshina’s journey to the Miss Universe stage was anything but smooth. Before earning the Miss Universe Nigeria crown, she competed in Miss South Africa, where her participation was cut short due to a controversy surrounding her nationality.
Born to a Nigerian father in South Africa, the 23-year-old withdrew from the competition, citing concerns for the “safety and wellbeing of my family and I.”
Her participation sparked a wave of xenophobic backlash, with allegations that her mother had stolen the identity of a South African woman, prompting government investigations.
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Despite not having lived in Nigeria for over two decades, the organisers of the Nigerian competition extended an invitation to Adetshina, offering her the opportunity to represent her father’s homeland on the global stage.
This gesture not only reignited her dreams but also provided a platform o reconnect with her Nigerian roots.
Amid the controversy, Adetshina expressed gratitude to South Africa, describing it as a country she loved deeply, and thanked those who supported her during the turbulent period. However, her journey took a new direction when Nigeria embraced her with open arms.
Ahead of the Miss Universe finals, Adetshina shared an emotional post on Instagram, expressing her gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support:
“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.
“As I step onto the Miss Universe stage tonight, I carry with me over 2 million beads of love, strength, and an unstoppable spirit. In this very moment, history is being made through my story. I call upon all my ancestors to guide my path with ease and grace. I promise to give my very best while you continue to pray for me.
“A heartfelt thank you to Silverbird Group and the Miss Universe Nigeria Organisation for safeguarding my life and adding more fuel to my journey through the universe.
“I am ready to emerge. Let history be made, while we have fun.”
Adetshina’s success builds on the legacy of Nigerian women who have excelled on global beauty platforms, evoking memories of Agbani Darego’s historic Miss World win in 2001.
