Chidimma Adetshina to contest in Miss Universe Nigeria after Miss South Africa row

Model and pageant hopeful, Chidimma Adetshina who was forced to withdraw from Miss South Africa due to a nationality row, has announced her intention to contest in Miss Universe Nigeria.

Chidimma in an Instagram post said she has accepted an invitation letter from Silverbird Group, organizers of Miss Universe Nigeria to participate in the beauty pageant.

“I have received an invitation from the Silverbird Group who are the organizers of the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 ,and I say this with great excitement because I have decided to accept this invitation.

“I understand the responsibilities and expectations that come with this title and I am so excited to embark on this journey,” the 23-year-old said with a beaming smile on her face.

Ms Adetshina was a former contestant in this year’s Miss South Africa but pulled out after South Africans attacked her due to nationality issues.

Despite being a South African citizen, Chidimma’s nationality was questioned because her father is Nigerian and her mother has Mozambican roots.

The South African Home Affairs department further investigated her at the request of the organizers of Miss South Africa and concluded that Ms Adetshina’s mother may have committed “identity fraud” to secure South African nationality.

After this, Ms Adetshina took the “difficult decision” to withdraw from the competition for her family’s safety and well-being.

Following her exit, the organizers of Miss Nigeria reached out to Ms Adetshina extending an invitation to her to compete saying her “journey in the world of pageantry is far from over”.

It added that Ms Adetshina would be able to “represent her father’s native land on the international stage”.

It is unclear if Ms Adetshina has Nigerian nationality but South Africa’s Home Affairs department is still conducting further investigations with the aim of pressing criminal charges, while also obtaining legal advice “on the implications of the alleged fraudulent activity on Adetshina’s citizenship status”.

The winner of Miss Universe Nigeria will represent the country at the prestigious Miss Universe competition in November.

Source:3news.com