Miss Nigeria is a pageant show used to showcase positive attributes of Nigerian women. Before 1986, winners represented Nigeria at international pageants including Miss World; this role is now performed by Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, while Miss Nigeria winners are ambassadors of Nigerian culture.[1]
In 2010, after a six-year hiatus, the Miss Nigeria pageant was re-launched under new management (previously it had been organised by Times Leisure Services, publisher of national newspaper Daily Times) and the new tagline One Nation, One people, One Queen. Former MBGN Nike Oshinowo-Soleye has been designated as chief executive and creative director.[2][3]
The current title holder is Feyijimi Sodipo, from Ogun.
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The new Miss Nigeria organisers promise to create a family-friendly pageant, reminiscent of a time when opportunity came with responsibility, and womanhood was held in the highest regard. In a statement, Oshinowo-Soleye states that contest "will have no swimwear segment. We are not looking for fashion models tall or skinny; our young ladies would be judged on poise, intelligence, cultural values as well as beauty", qualities the organisers believe that every family would approve.[4]
Before it was discontinued in 2004, segments of the competition included Traditional, Swimsuit, Talent, Interview, and Evening Gown (in 2010, it was changed to Dance, Traditional and Couture), with contestants competing in zonal contests in different parts of the country where they were given numbers (unlike Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, participants did not represent states). The zonal winner and the first and second runners-up were then selected to take part in the grand finale in Lagos. Throughout the year, the winner was sponsored by several prestigious organisations, and earned endorsement deals.
In recent years, similarly named contests like Miss Nigeria Entertainment have emerged.[5] In addition, there are several versions of Miss Nigeria in different parts of the world, held for Nigerians living in these parts, including Miss Nigeria UK, Miss Nigeria Ireland, Miss Nigeria USA and Miss Nigeria Holland.[6][7][8][9]
The swimsuit parade, a former segment of the live shows, was regarded as a form of nudity . Although Miss Nigeria has been praised for judging contestants according to Nigerian standards of beauty, it has been argued that Miss Nigeria was more Western than African, and did not fully represent Nigerian culture. In 2001, finalist Keltuma Shawanma was accused of going commando underneath her short Aso Oke outfit in an attempt to secure top marks from the judges who were reportedly offended, along with most of the audience. Shawanma later argued that she had worn a g-string.[22][23] Although Oshinowo-Soleye promised that future winners will be truly representative of Nigerian beauty,[24] the 2010 finalists wore tartan - a pattern associated with Scotland - during the dance segment .
Critics have described the pageant as a parade of beauty with no brains. Former pageant manager Yomi Onanuga told an interviewer in 2006: "We are tired of seeing girls on stage after two weeks in camp, and having much fun, all we see is that they ask them [questions] and they win. Two months after, somebody asks her the same question, she cannot answer, and people begin to ask, Where did she get her crown from?".[25] In 1991, highly tipped English Literature undergraduate Ibinabo Fiberesima lost the crown to model Bibiana Ohio, after she was unable to name the vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, which she attended.[26]
Most of the winners were light-skinned, and this enraged the public who argued that "black is beautiful". In 1988, dark-skinned catering student Stella Okoye crowned her successor Wunmi Adebowale, who was also dark, thus breaking a long line of light-skinned winners, yet Okoye's reign had not been without controversy - fellow contestant Omasan Buwa told The Punch in 2011 "In the hall that day, there was a big uproar and they had to take her out with police escort[s]. The audience felt she was very dark." [27] Other dark-skinned winners include Clara Ojo (1994), Vien Tetsola (1999), and Regina Nwabunar (1998).[28]
The pageant had been slated for failing to live up to the glamour of MBGN.[29][30] After 1986, winners ceased to partake in Miss World, and pageant oraganisers often failed to hold the contest every year due to a number of reasons, mainly financial. The prize money and lack of endorsements were also a cause for concern, particularly before the new millennium. Miss Nigeria 1993 Janet Fataye told an interviewer: "People thought I was raking in all the money there was, but that wasn't the case. The prize money at the time was a mere N12,000, given to me at N1,000 a month. Yes, I got the car prize that was being serviced by Daily Times, but then I had to buy petrol!" [31]
Rita Anuku, who won the contest in 1986, has stated "I think they have commercialized the whole affair; it is no longer what it used to be. It was something that people looked forward to. People wanted to [go] there, feel happy and see the right person being chosen and congratulated the person happily. But now, I guess they are looking for something else and not beauty at all."[32]
Several contestants have been caught forging their dates of birth to compete (as of 2010, the age limit is twenty-six). In 1977, it was discovered that Toyin Monney, who was also a secret single mother, had concealed information about her actual age; although she was not dethroned, she was not allowed to represent her country at Miss World.[33] 2001 finalist Jane Povi Gam-Dede, who claimed she was twenty-three, had competed as a 27-year-old in 2000 before deciding to participate the following year as an even younger contestant.
The most famous age-scandal contestant is Miss Nigeria 2001, thirty-year-old Valerie Peterside, who had not only lied about her actual age (she had told organisers she was twenty-five), but had also forged her university qualifications (she was reportedly expelled from the Ahmadu Bello University prior to graduation due to examination malpractice) and NYSC certificates.[34] Following and investigation carried out by several prominent Nigerians including former Daily Times editor Tony Momoh and former Miss Western Nigeria Julie Coker, a decision was made to dethrone the newly crowned queen. Peterside, who had competed the previous year (still as a 25-year-old) and featured in the movie Millionares Are Saints, fought to keep the crown, but was forced out, allowing first runner-up Amina Ekpo to take over.[35][36]
Despite her popularity as Miss Nigeria 2002, International Relations graduate Sylvia Edem attracted further media attention when it was rumoured she had forged her date of birth to compete, like Peterside before her. It was believed that Edem was thirty years old, until an investigation confirmed she was twenty-three.[37]
Miss Nigeria 1981 Tokunboh Onanuga was demoted after a flaw was discovered on her WAEC certificate.[38][39]
In 1990, fashion student Binta Sukai, who is of mixed heritage (her mother is half-Scottish), attracted criticism from the public who questioned her nationality and eligibility to compete.[40]
In 2010, it was announced that Miss Nigeria would be re-introduced under new organisers AOE Events and Entertainment, marketing firm Azzagai Limited, and financial consultants Hudson Consulting Group.[41] As with Miss America, the pageant was re-launched as a programme providing scholarships to institutions of higher learning.[42] In addition to the scholarship, prizes include a luxury car, N3,000,000, one year accommodation in Lagos, and designer wardrobe. Screening for potential contestant are now held in various Nigerian cities, and the first time ever, abroad.[43]
The swimsuit segment has now been discontinued, and while beauty is still a requirement, organisers will now focus mainly on other attributes while combining vintage glamour with modern elegance.[44][45][46]
Winners will no longer represent Nigeria at international pageants, but will now work for the Miss Nigeria Foundation, and the Federal and State Governments of Nigeria through the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, Health and Women Affairs, while also making herself available to work on special projects on behalf of International Non- governmental Organizations such as WHO and One International.[47]
Miss Nigeria now includes a reality show which sees potential contestants compete in various tasks with the public voting for their favourite.[48]
Past winners and contestants have used the pageant as a launch pad for careers in music (Janet Fateye), fashion (Binta Sukai, Rosemary Okeke), acting (Rosemary Anieze, Omasan Buwa), and broadcasting (Bibiana Ohio). However, the whereabouts of most of the winners is unknown, as most have faded into obscurity.
| Year | Title Holder | State of Origin | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Grace Oyelude | Northern Region | Practised nursing; now retired | |
| 1958 | Helen Anyamaeluna | Mid Western Region | Qualified as secretary | |
| 1959 | Nene Etule | N/A | Now Nene Malafa; married to former Camerounian ambassador to Nigeria Penuel Malafa;[49] | |
| 1960 | Rosemary Anieze also known as "Miss Independence" | Mid-Western Region | Later Rosemary Anieze-Adams; worked as broadcaster and featured in sitcom The New Village Headmaster | |
| 1961 | Clara Emefiena | |||
| 1962 | Yemi Idowu | Western Region | Now Yemi Majekodunmi; was semi-finalist at Miss United Nations | |
| 1963 | Alice Aleebe | |||
| 1964 | Edna Park | Lagos | First - and last - official Miss Nigeria at Miss Universe | |
| 1965 | Anna Eboweime | Mid-Western Region | Now Anna Ode, currently spokesperson for the Elixir range in Nigeria [50] | |
| 1966 | NOT HELD | |||
| 1967 | Rosaline Balogun | Western Region | ||
| 1968 | Foluke Ogundipe | Western Region | ||
| 1969 | Stella Owivri[51] | |||
| 1972 | Victoria Bamidele | |||
| 1977 | Toyin Monney | |||
| 1978 | Irene Omagbemi | |||
| 1979 | Helen Prest[52] | Bendel | Later Helen-Prest Davis and now Helen Prest-Ajayi, currently an author and columnist | |
| 1980 | Syster Jack | Currently residing in America | ||
| 1981 | Tokunbo Onanuga | |||
| 1982 | Rita Martins | |||
| 1984 | Cynthia Oronsaye | |||
| 1985 | Rosemary Okeke[53] | Later Rosemary Wright; worked as model, now fashion designer[54] | ||
| 1986 | Rita Anuku | Bendel | Sister of actor Hank Anuku; now a businesswoman in Abuja | |
| 1987 | Stella Okoye | Imo | Attended catering school Dof Institute | |
| 1988 | Wunmi Adebowale | |||
| 1989 | NOT HELD | |||
| 1990 | Binta Sukai | Kaduna | First Northern winner; now fashion reality show judge[55] | |
| 1991 | Bibiana Ohio | Pursued acting career, now presenter with Kiss FM Abuja | ||
| 1992 | NOT HELD | |||
| 1993 | Janet Fateye | Now Janet Gabriel; briefly featured in serial Mega Fortunes; currently pursuing music career with band Neophonics in United Kingdom[56] | ||
| 1994 | Clara Ojo | Edo | ||
| 1998 | Regina Nwabunar | Abia | ||
| 1999 | NOT HELD | |||
| 2000 | Vien Tetsola also known as the "Millennium Queen" | Delta | Sister of singer Dude Tetsola; founder of Africalert [57] | |
| 2001 | Valerie Peterside dethroned | Rivers | Dethroned for forging age and qualifications, whereabouts unknown | |
| 2001 | Amina Ekpo replaced Peterside | Akwa Ibom | First South-Eastern title holder; now resides in America, founder of organisation Touching Tender Hearts [58] | |
| 2002 | Sylvia Edem[59] | Cross River | Now Sylvia Emechete; first South-Eastern winner | |
| 2003 | Nwando Okwosa | Anambra | Later joined British Army | |
| 2004 | Ene Lawani[60] | Benue | Longest reign in the pageant history; now fashion designer[61] | |
| 2010 | Damilola Agbajor | Delta | ||
| 2011 | Feyijimi Sodipo | Ogun |
Unlike MBGN, Miss Nigeria organisers did not host pageants every year. This is expected to change after 2010.
Contestants who previously competed - or would later compete - at other beauty pageants:
