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Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina (born 6 June 2001) is a Nigerian beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. She represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico and finished as the first runner-up. She was also crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania as the highest ranked African Contestant of 2024. Her placement is Nigeria’s highest at any Miss Universe pageant.

Early life

Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina was born in Soweto to an Igbo Nigerian father, and a Mozambican mother. Her father is of Igbo descent while her mother is a Mozambican who is accused of allegedly committing identity fraud in South Africa. Adetshina grew up in Cape Town. As of 2024, she is a law student.

Pageantry

Miss South Africa 2024

Adetshina entered Miss South Africa 2024, but following an investigation by the Department of Home Affairs into her mother’s citizenship, she withdrew from the pageant, citing concerns for her safety and well-being. The investigation later allegedly uncovered preliminary evidence of fraud and identity theft related to her mother’s acquisition of South African citizenship in 2001. It was claimed that she was unable to participate in the contest due to the pending case.

Controversy

Adetshina’s participation in the Miss South Africa pageant faced scrutiny due to questions about her citizenship and eligibility. Concerns were raised regarding her dual citizenship of South Africa and Nigeria, leading the South African Department of Home Affairs to investigate her background. The investigation allegedly revealed preliminary evidence suggesting potential issues with her mother’s acquisition of South African citizenship. It was said that the Department of Home Affairs planned to take further action, which may have included potential criminal charges based on the investigation's findings. Adetshina garnered support from the public who saw her as a representation of South Africa's diverse population. A South African far-left political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, publicly defended her, calling for an end to xenophobia in South Africa and advocating for inclusivity. While other parties, namely the African National Congress and the Patriotic Alliance advocated for an investigation into her nationality. The minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, confirmed that the department would investigate the nationality of Adetshina only after her family requested it. Additional controversy emerged when a video circulated online showing Adetshina celebrating her progress in the pageant with her Nigerian relatives.

The Miss South Africa pageant maintained that Adetshina fulfilled all the requirements to participate in the competition.

In October 2024, the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa revoked her South African identity papers following an investigation into her mother's origins.

Aftermath

Due to the victimisation of Adetshina by some South Africans, the organizers of the Puebla International Festival withdrew its invitations to the South African panelists and guests. The managers cited in its letter on X that the removal was due to South Africa's undermining of the very principle of justice and equality, as well as human dignity that the literature seeks to maintain. The country is no longer listed as a featured country at the festival, which is being held in Mexico. Following the Miss Universe 2024 event, Chidimma stated she would be moving to settle in Nigeria. In a BBC Pidgin interview after the pageantry, Miss Adetshina confirmed that she would be retiring from the beauty-queen phase of her life with a new focus on education.

Miss Universe Nigeria 2024

On 31 August 2024, Adetshina, represented Taraba State and won Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Competing against 24 other contestants, the event was broadcast on GOtv and YouTube. Adetshina proceeded to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe in Mexico, in November 2024.

Miss Universe 2024

Chidimma Adetshina represented Nigeria at Miss Universe 2024, on November 16, 2024, at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City. Adetshina was first runner-up, against contestants from 126 countries. Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig won the contest, and Mexico’s María Fernanda Beltrán was second runner-up. Adetshina’s placement is Nigeria’s highest at Miss Universe.

Miss Universe Africa and Oceania

Adetshina was also crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania as the highest ranked African Contestant of 2024.

References

1. Alumona, Kingsley (13 September 2024). "Politics, Intrigue behind Chidimma Adetshina's Emergence as Miss Universe Nigeria". Tribune Online. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
2. ^ Akhimien, Nosakhale (17 November 2024). "Miss Universe 2024: Chidimma Adetshina is first runner-up". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
3. "Chidimma Adetshina emerges first runner-up at Miss Universe 2024 | Western Post". 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
4. ^ "Miss Universe nombra cuatro reinas continentales". El Vocero de Puerto Rico. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
5. ^ Mosadioluwa, Adam (17 November 2024). "Miss Universe 2024: Chidimma Adetshina makes history as first runner-up". Tribune Online. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
6. Hunter, Qaanitah. "How a beauty queen became the face of South Africa-Nigeria tensions". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
7. ^ "Miss South Africa finalist faces xenophobic online abuse over Nigerian heritage". The Independent. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
8. ^ Savage, Rachel (1 August 2024). "Miss South Africa contestant faces backlash over Nigerian father". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
9. Akhimien, Nosakhale (23 July 2024). "Miss South Africa 2024: Finalist Chidimma Adetshina faces xenophobic backlash". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
10. ^ "Miss South Africa 2024: Chidimma Adetshina's participation sparks nationality row". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
11. Ncwane, Nokwanda (1 August 2024). "'Xenophobic minister': Gayton McKenzie slammed for comments on Miss SA finalist". The South African. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
12. "Miss South Africa 2024: Chidimma Adetshina dey qualified to contest - Organisers respond to calls for her disqualification". BBC News Pidgin. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
13. ^ "'Black people hate themselves': PAC on backlash against Miss SA's Chidimma Adetshina".
14. ^ "Chidimma Adetshina 2024: Net Worth, Profile, Husband, Nationality, Parent, Age, Misplaced Pages - POP GOLDEN MAGAZINE". 3 August 2024. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
15. "Miss South Africa contest in turmoil as finalist's mother accused of fraud". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 7 August 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
16. ^ Heever, Megan van den (4 August 2024). "'I'll apologise': Gayton on IF Chidimma can 'prove' SA citizenship". The South African. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
17. Maako, Compiled by Keitumetse. "'Not my father': Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina dispels rumours following viral video". Life. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
18. "Home Affairs Found Prima Facie Indications of Fraud Committed by Chidimma Adetshina's Mother". Briefly.co.za. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
19. "Home Affairs Department probe finds mom of Miss SA contestant may have committed identity theft". News24. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
20. "Home Affairs makes shocking findings on Chidimma Adetshina's citizenship". Swisher Post. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
21. "EFF condemns xenophobic attacks against Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina".
22. Mokwena, Tebogo (31 July 2024). ""Remnants of apartheid and colonialisation": EFF slams SA for Adetshina saga". Briefly. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
23. "Parents ask home affairs to probe Chidimma Adetshina's nationality".
24. Molapo, Maki. "Prima facie evidence that Chidimma Adetshina's mother may have committed fraud, identity theft - Home Affairs". EWN. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
25. "Chidimma Adetshina citizenship: Home Affairs for South Africa release preliminary findings on Miss SA contestant". BBC News Pidgin. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
26. Thamm, Marianne (7 August 2024). "Miss SA saga is a blot on our country's constitutional DNA". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
27. Heever, Megan van den (2 August 2024). "Opinion: Tatjana's dad is also a foreigner, so why 'hate' Chidimma?". The South African. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
28. "Discussion | Miss SA 2024 | Pageant says Adetshina meets all requirements - eNCA". www.enca.com. 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
29. Kupemba, Danai Nesta (31 October 2024). "South Africa to strip beauty queen of ID documents". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
30. ^ Zuma, Mbalenhle (9 August 2024). "'Victimisation' of Adetshina costs SA a spot at Puebla Festival". Sunday World. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
31. "Puebla Literature Festival Withdraws South African Guests Over Chidimma Adetshina Controversy". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
32. Savage, Rachel (20 November 2024). "Miss Universe runner-up to move to Nigeria after South Africa nationality row". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
33. Mosadioluwa, Adam (20 November 2024). "Why I'm quitting pageantry — Chidimma Adetshina". Tribune Online. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
34. Princewill, Nimi (16 August 2024). "Miss South Africa finalist at center of nationality row to compete in Nigerian pageant instead". CNN. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
35. "Chidinma Adetshina to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria after Miss South Africa row". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 17 August 2024.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Anntonia Porsild	Miss Universe 1st Runner-Up 2024	Succeeded byIncumbent
Preceded byInaugural	Miss Universe Africa & Oceania 2024	Succeeded byIncumbent
Preceded byUgochi Ihezue	Miss Universe Nigeria 2024	Succeeded byIncumbent

• Living people
• People from Soweto
• Miss Universe 2024 contestants
• 21st-century Nigerian women
• Nigerian models
• Nigerian people of Mozambican descent
• South African people of Nigerian descent
• South African people of Mozambican descent