South Africa’s Chidimma Adetshina accepts invitation to compete in 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria

The former Miss South Africa competitor, Chidimma Adetshina, has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.

Chidinma was involved in a recent controversy regarding her eligibility to compete in the Miss South African beauty pageant this year.

After she advanced to the round of 16, last month, the question over her nationality quickly gained pace on social media platforms. A few X users, most of whom were from South Africa, had demanded that she be disqualified.

To find out Chidimma’s nationality, the South African Ministry of Home Affairs also opened an investigation.

The model of Nigerian descent withdrew from the August 10 Miss South Africa pageant final after the probe.

Chidimma would subsequently receive an invitation from Miss Universe Nigeria’s organisers to compete in this year’s contest.

Chidimma made her choice to accept the invitation to compete in the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria competition public on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old model said she was thrilled to be taking part in what she called the “most prestigious pageant in Africa.”

Chidimma expressed her gratitude to the organisers for enabling her to compete in the pageant.

“With great excitement, I have decided to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 beauty pageant,” she said in social media post shared by Ben Murray-Bruce, the founder of Silverbird Group, the pageant organisers.

“Now, I understand the expectations and responsibilities that come with this title and I’m so excited to be back on this journey.

“I just want to say thank you so much for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to participating in Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Universe Nigeria.”

See video below:

Chidimma was born in Soweto, South Africa. She is believed to be of Nigerian (dad) and Mozambican (mum) heritage.

Last week, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for South Africa alleged that preliminary evidence suggests Chidimma’s mother may have committed fraud and identity theft.

Chidimma said her decision to withdraw from the country’s competition was for the “safety of my family and I”.