Chidimma Adetshina, representing Nigeria, proudly secured second place in the Miss Universe competition and was honored with the titles of Miss Africa and Oceania. Her remarkable achievement made history as the highest-placed Black African woman in the pageant since South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi’s victory in 2019.
Adetshina’s journey to Miss Universe was not without its challenges. She initially competed in Miss South Africa, where her Nigerian heritage led to trolling and xenophobic abuse. Amid controversy surrounding allegations of identity fraud involving her mother, South African authorities even threatened to revoke her identity papers—though it was acknowledged that Adetshina was only an infant at the time of the alleged incident.
Despite these obstacles, Adetshina remained resilient and later competed in the Miss Nigeria pageant, where she emerged victorious. Her win secured her a place in the Miss Universe competition in Mexico City.
Although her representation sparked mixed reactions in South Africa, where some questioned her dual heritage, Adetshina has consistently expressed pride in her Nigerian roots. In a recent interview, she revealed that she sought therapy to cope with the trauma from the abuse she endured during her pageant journey, reflecting her strength and determination in the face of adversity.
