KEY POINTS
- Miss Nigeria wins Miss Africa and Oceania at Miss Universe.
- Chidimma Adetshina faces trolling over Nigerian-South African roots.
- She becomes the highest-placed Black African woman since 2019.
Chidimma Adetshina, representing Nigeria, expressed her pride in finishing as first runner-up in the Miss Universe competition, where she was also named Miss Africa and Oceania.
“I’m so proud of myself, and I just made history,” Adetshina said after the competition, which crowned Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, as the winner.
Adetshina’s journey to Miss Universe was not without challenges. She initially participated in the Miss South Africa contest, having been born and raised in the country. However, she faced intense trolling and xenophobic abuse because her father is Nigerian.
Adding to the controversy, South African authorities recently announced plans to revoke her identity papers, citing allegations that her Mozambican-born mother obtained South African citizenship through fraud. Adetshina, who was an infant at the time, has not commented on the allegations, nor has her mother.
Following the backlash, Adetshina shifted her focus to the Miss Nigeria pageant, which she won, securing her spot at Miss Universe in Mexico City. Despite the criticism, she has remained steadfast in her dual identity. In a September interview with the BBC, she stated, “I am proudly South African and proudly Nigerian.”
Adetshina addresses trauma amid historic achievement
The controversy surrounding Adetshina’s nationality reignited after Miss Universe South Africa tweeted congratulations for her achievement, using both South African and Nigerian flags. Some South Africans responded negatively, insisting she did not represent them.
According to a report by GhanaWeb, Adetshina revealed that the abuse she endured has been deeply traumatic, and she plans to seek therapy to recover. Still, her accomplishment as the highest-placed Black African woman in Miss Universe since South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi won in 2019 marks a significant milestone.
Miss South Africa 2023, Mia le Roux, who would have represented South Africa at Miss Universe, withdrew from the competition last week due to an undisclosed medical condition.
Adetshina’s resilience has earned her recognition and admiration, solidifying her place in history as a trailblazer for African women.
