The Miss Universe Nigeria pageant made a historic decision by officially inviting Ms Chidimma Adetshina to participate in the upcoming Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 competition.
This development comes after her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa competition amidst controversies surrounding her South African citizenship claims and Nigerian heritage.
Ms Adetshina was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambique mother.
Silverbird CEO Ben Murray announced that Ms Adetshina accepted to partake in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant during a press conference held on Wednesday in Lagos.
He also revealed that she would represent Taraba State for the highly competitive Miss Universe Nigeria crown.
Expressing her excitement over the unexpected invitation, Ms Adetshina, in a recorded video, said, “I cannot start this video without expressing my gratitude to the incredible people who have shown me so much love and support. I received an invitation from the Silverbird Group, organisers of the Miss Universe Nigeria beauty pageant.
“I have decided to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 beauty pageant. Now, I understand the expectations and responsibilities of this title, and I am so excited to embark on this journey. Thank you so much for this opportunity,” she said.
The Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 competition, organised by Silverbird Productions, provides a platform for the winner to represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss Universe competition, which will be held in Mexico in November.
Ugochi Mitchell Ihezue, Miss Universe Nigeria 2023, and Sectra Okundaye, the first runner-up crowned Miss Supranational Nigeria 2023, are among the recent titleholders.
Ms Adetshina became the central point of South Africa’s debates over xenophobia and national identity after reaching the Top 30 in the Miss South Africa competition. Her participation sparked both support and criticism.
Describing these actions as “Black-on-Black hate,” the law student expressed in a Soweto SMag interview her pessimism about representing a country where the love was not reciprocated