Chidinma Adetshina representing Taraba State has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, beating out 24 other contestants for the coveted title.
Adetshina clinched the coveted crown at the grand finale of the beauty pageant held at Eko Hotel and Suites on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old beauty queen, who recently made headlines for her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant due to a controversy over her Nigerian heritage, proved to be a fan favorite throughout the competition after accruing the highest number of votes.
As the newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidinma will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, scheduled to take place later this year in Mexico.
She succeeds last year’s winner, Mitchell Ikachukwu, and will carry on the legacy of Nigerian beauty and excellence on the global stage.
Emerging winners on the night as well were Miss Anambra as the first runner-up also known as Miss Supranational and Miss Ondo, the second runner-up known as Miss Lush.
Miss Rivers, Miss Kwara also won special awards.
Miss Oyo scooped the top model award of the night while Miss Imo won Best Costume of the night. Miss Abuja also won Best Talent of Award.
In the top 10 were Miss Kwara, Edo, Taraba, Anambra, Ogun, Plateau, Lagos, Rivers, Ekiti and Ondo.
In the top five were Taraba, Rivers, Edo, Ondo and Anambra.
Being among the first three with the highest votes, Miss Taraba emerged the new Miss Universe Nigeria by the judges scorecards.
Chidimma withdrawal from the South African pageant final came a day after the Home Affairs ministry accused her mother of fraud and identity theft.
“After much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I,” Adetshina, 23, wrote on Instagram.
Adetshina, a law student, was the subject of vicious, xenophobic attacks on social media since she was announced as a finalist in July, with many — including cabinet ministers — questioning her credentials because of her Nigerian descent.