• Minister, Silverbird, Permanent Secretary rally Nigerians behind Soye Karibi-George
By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Federal Government has formally sent forth Miss World Nigeria 2026, Miss Tamunosoye Karibi-George, as Nigeria’s official representative to the 2026 Miss World Pageant scheduled to hold in Vietnam, with the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, urging Nigerians to rally behind the beauty queen and support her quest to bring the crown home.
The Minister spoke on Wednesday at a grand send-forth reception organised in honour of the Nigerian representative at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, describing the event as a proud national moment and an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, creative economy, talent and the potential of Nigerian women to a global audience.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said Karibi-George would not merely be participating in a beauty pageant but would be stepping onto one of the world’s most visible platforms as a cultural ambassador for Nigeria.
According to her, the 2026 Miss World Pageant in Vietnam is particularly significant as it marks the 75th anniversary of the Miss World competition, with representatives from about 130 countries expected to participate.
“It is my honour to present, and to send forth, Miss Tamunosoye Karibi-George, Miss Nigeria, as the official representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Miss World Pageant 2026.
“She will carry our flag onto one of the most visible stages in the world. And she will carry it with grace, with intelligence and with pride,” the Minister said.
She explained that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development was central to the event because the Miss World platform had evolved beyond beauty to become a global platform for leadership, purpose, culture, social impact and gender equality.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said Nigeria’s participation would provide an opportunity to project its rich cultural heritage, promote the country’s fast-growing creative economy, strengthen its international image and showcase “the talent, intelligence and ambition of the Nigerian woman.”
“This is cultural diplomacy in its finest form,” she said, adding that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on youth development, women’s leadership and projecting a confident and capable Nigeria.
The Minister said Karibi-George would carry the aspirations of millions of Nigerian girls who would watch her and believe that they too could achieve similar feats.
“When this young woman walks onto that stage, she does not walk alone.
She goes as a cultural ambassador. She carries the story of a nation, and she carries the aspirations of millions of our girls who will be watching, and who will say quietly to themselves, that could one day be me,” she said.
According to her, “that single thought, in the mind of a Nigerian girl, is worth more than any crown.”
She assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development would provide full institutional support for the representative, covering her preparation, travel and welfare throughout the competition.
The Minister also commended the Miss Nigeria Organisation, partner institutions and sister Ministries for their contributions, describing the effort as a whole-of-government initiative aimed at projecting a positive image of Nigeria internationally.
She called on Nigerians to support, pray for and cheer the queen throughout the competition, stressing that irrespective of the final outcome, Karibi-George had already achieved a significant milestone by earning the opportunity to tell Nigeria’s story to the world.
“Whether she wins or she places, she has already achieved something of real significance. She has earned the right to tell Nigeria’s story to the world, and to remind that world of the beauty, the brilliance and the boundless potential of the Nigerian woman,” The Minister said.
“In her remarks, Miss World Nigeria 2026, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, described her selection as the fulfilment of a childhood dream, saying she was grateful to God for giving her the opportunity to represent Nigeria on the international stage.
“It is full of gratitude, mostly joy, because I remember many years ago, I always dreamed to be exactly where I am today. I’m mostly grateful to God because He honoured the words of that little girl. I’m literally living the dream and I could wish for nothing more,” she said.
Karibi-George said she was particularly proud to represent Nigeria’s culture, heritage, traditions and the resilience of its people.
She said her mission in Vietnam would go beyond the competition, as she intended to showcase Nigeria as a nation whose people possess compassion, resilience and strength and are capable of overcoming adversity.
“It means everything to me to represent who we are, the people we are, what we stand for, what we believe, our compassion, our resilience, and our strength as a people who are able to weather through any storm,” she said.
The queen disclosed that she would spend almost a month in Vietnam and expressed confidence that Nigeria could replicate its past success at the competition.
She noted that her journey had a special significance because her first conversation about entering a pageant took place in Abuja, the same city where she was being formally sent forth.
“It’s symbolic because it started in this very city.
The first conversation to take the step to my first pageant happened here. And, like I said, symbolic because there is a send-forth happening right here,” she said.
Karibi-George also spoke about her desire to use her platform to give back to communities that are often overlooked and undervalued, while demonstrating that young people can achieve their potential when given opportunities.
She thanked her parents, sister, supporters and everyone who had contributed to her journey, saying her heart was “full” and that she looked forward to returning home with Nigerians gathering again to celebrate victory.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, welcomed guests to the reception and recalled Nigeria’s history of producing Miss Nigeria queens, particularly from the Niger Delta.
Asanye said the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs had created an institutional platform through which Nigerian women could take greater responsibility for supporting and promoting the development of women and girls.
She recalled the achievements of past queens, including Helen Prest-Ajayi, Miss Nigeria 1979, and Agbani Darego, who emerged Miss Nigeria and later became the first African to win the Miss World title in 2001.
The Permanent Secretary expressed confidence that the current queen could bring another major victory to Nigeria.
“We are going into the global stage to come back with the crown. And we are very certain that the crown will come back to Nigeria. It has happened before and it will happen again and again and again,” She said.
She urged Nigerians to support Karibi-George as she prepares to represent the country in Vietnam.
Also speaking, Guy Morris Bruce, President of Silverbird Group and National Director, Miss World Nigeria, formally presented Karibi-George and commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for hosting the send-forth ceremony.
Bruce disclosed that Karibi-George emerged winner of the Miss World Nigeria Grand Finale held in Lagos on June 6, 2026, defeating a strong field of contestants.
He said that since her emergence, she had carried the crown with “grace, humility and purpose,” adding that she was now being sent forth as Nigeria’s ambassador to one of the world’s most prestigious international platforms.
Bruce said Silverbird Group had, for more than four decades, remained committed to discovering, developing and celebrating Nigerian talent through its pageant platforms.
He said the group currently organises Nigeria’s participation in major international competitions, including Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss Supranational, Mr World and Mr Supranational.
He cited the recent performance of Nigerian representatives at the Miss Supranational competition in Poland, noting that Miss Supranational Nigeria emerged third runner-up, while Mr Supranational Nigeria reached the Top 10 among contestants from about 60 countries.
According to him, international pageants are now platforms for promoting purpose, leadership, intelligence, service, discipline and positive change, rather than beauty alone.
Bruce described Miss World as one of the oldest and most respected international competitions, noting that its “Beauty with a Purpose” initiative has helped promote humanitarian causes globally.
He said more than 130 countries and territories would participate in this year’s Miss World activities in Vietnam, which would include cultural exchanges, charity activities, media engagements, rehearsals and fast-track competitions before the grand finale on September 5, 2026.
Bruce said Karibi-George had consistently demonstrated qualities that represented the best of Nigeria, describing her as intelligent, resilient, compassionate and committed to making meaningful impact through her Beauty with a Purpose project.
“We have every confidence that she will represent the country with dignity, grace and excellence,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to support and encourage the queen throughout the competition.
Bruce also expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its assistance with diplomatic engagements and visa facilitation, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development for supporting the queen’s travel arrangements, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for standing behind Karibi-George.
He further acknowledged the support of Professor Stephen Zaiki, Prince Iwefa Aganaba, and the queen’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Karibi-George.
Addressing the queen directly, Bruce urged her to remain confident and true to herself, reminding her that she would be carrying the hopes, dreams and pride of millions of Nigerians.
“Walk with confidence, remain true to yourself, embrace every opportunity and continue to be an outstanding ambassador for our dear nation,” he said.
As part of the ceremony, Miss World Nigeria presented gifts to the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development as a gesture of appreciation for the Ministry’s support and for hosting the national send-forth ceremony.
The gesture further underscored the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Miss World Nigeria Organisation in promoting Nigerian women and projecting their achievements on the global stage.
With the formal send-forth, Karibi-George is expected to depart for Vietnam to commence the final phase of preparations and activities leading to the Miss World 2026 grand finale on September 5.
The ceremony ended with a renewed call for Nigerians to rally behind the queen as she takes the Nigerian flag to the global stage, with stakeholders expressing optimism that she would return home with the coveted Miss World crown.
