Nigeria is celebrating a historic victory in the world of pageantry as Chidimma Adetshina was crowned first runner-up at the 2024 Miss Universe competition in Mexico. The 23-year-old law student’s silver medal finish marks Nigeria’s highest ever placement in the global beauty contest. But beyond the glitz and glamour, Adetshina’s journey to the podium was marked by a bitter rivalry with continental foes South Africa and a controversy over her citizenship status that nearly derailed her pageant dreams.
From Miss South Africa to Miss Universe Africa
Adetshina had originally entered the Miss South Africa pageant, where she was considered a frontrunner. But in August, just weeks before the national finals, the Nigerian-born beauty queen abruptly withdrew from the competition. In a statement, Adetshina said she needed to protect herself and her family after her mother was accused of identity theft.
According to sources close to the investigation, South African police allege that Adetshina’s mother stole the identity of a South African woman and used it to obtain citizenship documents for herself and her daughter. The scandal unleashed a wave of xenophobic abuse and questioning of Adetshina’s right to represent South Africa, despite being born and raised in the country.
You picked me up when I was at my lowest. To Africa: thank you for showing your love and support. As much as I represent Nigeria, Africa fought for me.
– Chidimma Adetshina, on Instagram after her Miss Universe success
Seizing the opportunity, Nigeria’s Silverbird Group, which owns the Miss Universe Nigeria franchise, swooped in and offered Adetshina the chance to compete under the green-and-white banner of her fatherland. She went on to win the national crown and earned the right to represent Nigeria in Mexico, where she also claimed the continental Miss Universe Africa and Oceania title.
Giants of Africa clash again
Adetshina’s triumph over adversity reignited the perennial rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa, the two countries that have long vied for continental supremacy in everything from the economy to pop culture. On social media, Nigerians gloated about getting one over on their southern neighbours, especially after suffering a penalty shootout heartbreak against Bafana Bafana in the 2024 African Cup of Nations semi-finals.
The pageant result was also seen as payback after South African singer Tyla beat out a slate of Nigerian artists to win the first African music performance Grammy in February. Her hit song Water sparked a social media war, with Nigerians jokingly claiming her amapiano genre as “ourpiano”.
But the Nigeria-South Africa rivalry has an ugly side too. In 2019, the South African government had to dispatch an envoy to Nigeria to apologize after a spate of xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg that targeted Nigerian-owned businesses. The incident sparked a diplomatic crisis and highlighted the persistent tensions between the two African giants.
Uncertain future as citizenship questions linger
For Adetshina, the future remains clouded by the citizenship scandal that forced her to trade the South African sash for Nigeria’s green-and-white. In September, the South African interior ministry canceled Adetshina and her mother’s identity documents, putting her ability to return to her country of birth in doubt.
But for one glorious night in Mexico, the beauty queen pushed the controversy aside and basked in continental glory. “Africa fought for me,” a beaming Adetshina posted on Instagram after her historic result. It was a crowning moment of pan-African pride, even as a fierce rivalry raged on the sidelines.
