Miss Universe Nigeria 2024:It all started because of my name

Chidinma Adetshina, the newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, has opened up about her painful experience with the Miss South Africa pageant. Born in South Africa to a Nigerian father, Chidinma was initially disqualified from the Miss South Africa pageant due to her Nigerian nationality . This backlash sparked widespread controversy and led to her withdrawal from the competition.

The xenophobic incident, however, caught the attention of the Miss Universe Nigeria organizers, who extended an invitation to Chidinma to participate in their pageant . This opportunity ultimately led to her emergence as Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, beating 24 other contestants .

Chidinma Adetshina, Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, shared her emotional journey after being disqualified from the Miss South Africa pageant due to her Nigerian nationality.The 23-year-old law student born and raised in Soweto, South Africa, to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, revealed in an interview with Silverbird TV that her name, Chidinma, became the focal point of the controversy. According to her, many South Africans felt she wasn’t “South African enough” to represent the country because of her Nigerian name.

Chidinma's courage in sharing her story inspires others to:

1. Speak out against discrimination.

2. Embrace their heritage.

3. Find strength in adversity.

Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that:

- Home is where the heart is, but acceptance is crucial.

- Identity transcends borders and nationality.

- Resilience can transform pain into purpose.

Chidinma's victory has generated mixed reactions, with some Nigerians questioning the fairness of the competition, suggesting that the organizers favored her due to the controversy surrounding her experience in the Miss South Africa pageant . Others, however, believe that Chidinma deserved the win, citing her impressive performance in the competition.