Chidinma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, a model of Nigerian and Mozambican heritage, has announced that she will participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 beauty pageant after withdrawing from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest due to scrutiny over her nationality.
News About Nigeria reported that Adetshina, who was a Top 11 Finalist in the Miss South Africa competition, stepped down amid concerns for her family’s safety following a national controversy surrounding her eligibility due to her Nigerian roots.
In a video message, Chidinma revealed her decision to join the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, stating, “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.”
The controversy began shortly after the 23-year-old entered the Miss South Africa pageant, with critics questioning her eligibility based on her Nigerian heritage.
The debate escalated when a video of her marriage surfaced, leading some to argue that it violated the competition’s guidelines, which traditionally restrict participation to unmarried women.
However, the Miss South Africa organisation clarified that their rules do not disqualify contestants based on marital status or motherhood.
In her statement, Chidinma expressed gratitude for the support she received but ultimately chose to withdraw from the competition to prioritise her family’s well-being.
“Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey. However, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and I,” she wrote.
Adding to the controversy, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has launched an investigation into Chidinma’s citizenship.
Preliminary findings suggest potential fraud and identity theft involving her mother, which could impact Chidinma’s citizenship status.
The department is conducting a thorough investigation to verify the authenticity of her citizenship.
