Chidimma Adetshina to represent Taraba in Miss Universe Nigeria pageant

Chidimma Adetshina has officially joined the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant as Miss Taraba.

This announcement follows her announcement on accepting to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 and her recent withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant, where she faced controversy over her Nigerian heritage.

In a heartfelt acceptance video, Chidimma shared her excitement about participating in the prestigious Miss Universe Nigeria competition.

She expressed her gratitude to the Silverbird Group, the organizers of the pageant, and spoke about her anticipation for the journey ahead. “I have decided to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 beauty pageant… I am looking forward to participating in Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant – Miss Universe Nigeria,” Chidimma said in her video.

Chidimma was born in Soweto, South Africa, to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent. This mixed heritage led to scrutiny about her eligibility to represent South Africa in the pageant.

After entering the Miss South Africa competition, Chidimma faced intense backlash, including accusations of xenophobia and claims that she was not a “true” South African. Critics questioned her loyalty and national identity, sparking a broader debate about xenophobia in South Africa.

The situation worsened when a video surfaced showing Chidimma celebrating with Nigerian relatives, leading to accusations of favoritism towards Nigeria.

This incident fueled online trolling and negative sentiments against her. The Miss South Africa organization requested an investigation into her nationality claims, which led to further public scrutiny.

Despite the backlash, many South Africans supported Chidimma, viewing her as a symbol of the country’s diversity. Prominent figures, including the President of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa, expressed their backing, emphasizing her contributions to the community and her embodiment of peace and unity.

Immigration experts clarified that Chidimma meets the requirements to participate in the pageant, citing the South African Citizenship Act.

They explained that as long as her mother was a South African citizen at the time of her birth, Chidimma is legally a South African citizen.