Nigeria has a new queen ready to carry the nation’s colours onto one of the world’s biggest beauty platforms.
Tamunosoye Karibi-George, who represented Bayelsa State and held the title of Miss Bayelsa, emerged winner of the Miss World Nigeria 2026 pageant after a fiercely contested grand finale held at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Her victory followed months of preparation and a demanding selection process that brought together 37 contestants from across the country. Before the final event, participants completed a week-long camp focused on leadership development and community engagement, two key areas that formed part of the judges’ assessment.
By the closing stages of the competition, the field had been narrowed to 10 finalists. Among the standout contestants were Shuntell Ezomo of Edo State, Uchechukwu Ikediashi representing Abuja, Ifeoma Uzogheli from Delta State, Oluwakemi Akinlabi of Osun State, Gold Ichenda of Rivers State, and Dionne Nwagbo of Anambra State.
When the final round arrived, Karibi-George outperformed strong contenders from Edo, Anambra, Rivers and Abuja to secure the coveted crown.
The announcement was made by Guy Murray-Bruce, Chief Operating Officer of Silverbird Group, who commended the Bayelsa representative for her poise, advocacy work and overall performance throughout the competition.
Her triumph marks the beginning of a new chapter that will see her represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World pageant scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The international competition is expected to run from August 9 to September 5, with contestants from about 140 countries vying for the global title.
Karibi-George succeeds Joy Raimi, the 2025 Miss World Nigeria titleholder, whose outing at the 72nd Miss World pageant saw her reach the Top 20 globally and finish among the Top 5 contestants from Africa.
Beyond the glamour of pageantry, the newly crowned queen has built a reputation around social impact. She is the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative dedicated to promoting inclusion and protecting the rights of children with special needs.
Speaking about the mission behind the project, Karibi-George said the platform seeks to challenge stereotypes that often limit how society views children with disabilities and special needs.
“Through my Beyond Labels initiative, I advocate for education and inclusivity, challenging stereotypes and societal labels especially for children with special needs,” she said.
She added that many of the children are frequently judged by perceived limitations instead of their talents and potential.
“Most of the times, these kids are seen first for what society thinks they lack rather than the brilliance they carry, the creativity they possess, the joy they bring and the endless potential waiting to be nurtured.”
Her latest achievement is not her first success on the continental stage. In December 2024, she represented Nigeria at the Miss Africa International pageant held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana, where she went on to win the title.
Now, with the Miss World Nigeria crown on her head and Vietnam on the horizon, Karibi-George carries not only national expectations but also a message of inclusion that has become central to her journey. For Nigeria, her emergence adds another promising chapter to the country's growing presence on the global pageant stage.
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