Bayelsa State’s Tamunosoye Karibi-George has been crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 after emerging winner at the grand finale of the prestigious beauty pageant held in Lagos.
The event, organised by the Silverbird Group, took place on Friday at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, bringing together 37 contestants representing states and regions across Nigeria.
The contestants underwent a week-long camp that featured leadership development programmes, community service engagements, and other activities that formed part of the overall assessment before the final night.
After several rounds of competition, the field was narrowed to a top 10 featuring strong contenders from Edo, Abuja, Delta, Osun, Rivers and Anambra states. Karibi-George distinguished herself throughout the contest and eventually secured the crown.
She succeeds Joy Raimi, who held the title in 2025 and represented Nigeria at the Miss World competition, where she finished among the top 20 contestants globally and ranked among the top five in Africa.
Announcing the winner, Guy Murray-Bruce, Chief Operating Officer of Silverbird Group, commended Karibi-George for her grace, confidence and dedication to humanitarian causes, describing her as a worthy ambassador for Nigeria on the international stage.
As the newly crowned queen, Karibi-George will represent Nigeria at the 73rd edition of the Miss World pageant scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, 2026. The global competition is expected to attract participants from about 140 countries.
Beyond the glamour of pageantry, the new queen is passionate about advocacy for children with special needs through her initiative, Beyond Labels, which seeks to promote inclusivity and challenge stereotypes surrounding children living with disabilities.
SpeakBayelsa Beauty Queen Tamunosoye Karibi-George Emerges Miss World Nigeria 2026
Bayelsa State’s Tamunosoye Karibi-George has been crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 after emerging winner at the grand finale of the prestigious beauty pageant held in Lagos.
The event, organised by the Silverbird Group, took place on Friday at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, bringing together 37 contestants representing states and regions across Nigeria.
The contestants underwent a week-long camp that featured leadership development programmes, community service engagements, and other activities that formed part of the overall assessment before the final night.
After several rounds of competition, the field was narrowed to a top 10 featuring strong contenders from Edo, Abuja, Delta, Osun, Rivers and Anambra states. Karibi-George distinguished herself throughout the contest and eventually secured the crown.
She succeeds Joy Raimi, who held the title in 2025 and represented Nigeria at the Miss World competition, where she finished among the top 20 contestants globally and ranked among the top five in Africa.
Announcing the winner, Guy Murray-Bruce, Chief Operating Officer of Silverbird Group, commended Karibi-George for her grace, confidence and dedication to humanitarian causes, describing her as a worthy ambassador for Nigeria on the international stage.
As the newly crowned queen, Karibi-George will represent Nigeria at the 73rd edition of the Miss World pageant scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, 2026. The global competition is expected to attract participants from about 140 countries.
Beyond the glamour of pageantry, the new queen is passionate about advocacy for children with special needs through her initiative, Beyond Labels, which seeks to promote inclusivity and challenge stereotypes surrounding children living with disabilities.
Speaking after her victory, she said her campaign focuses on ensuring that children with special needs are recognised for their abilities and potential rather than the limitations society often places on them.
“Through my Beyond Labels initiative, I advocate for education and inclusivity, challenging stereotypes and societal labels, especially for children with special needs,” she said.
Karibi-George noted that many children with special needs are often defined by perceived shortcomings instead of their talents and aspirations.
Most of the time, these kids are seen first for what society thinks they lack rather than the brilliance they carry, the creativity they possess, the joy they bring and the endless potential waiting to be nurtured,” she added.
Her victory marks the beginning of a new chapter as she prepares to fly Nigeria’s flag at the upcoming Miss World competition in Vietnam, where she will seek to continue the country’s strong showing on the global stage.ing after her victory, she said her campaign focuses on ensuring that children with special needs are recognised for their abilities and potential rather than the limitations society often places on them.
Through my Beyond Labels initiative, I advocate for education and inclusivity, challenging stereotypes and societal labels, especially for children with special needs,” she said.
Karibi-George noted that many children with special needs are often defined by perceived shortcomings instead of their talents and aspirations.
Most of the time, these kids are seen first for what society thinks they lack rather than the brilliance they carry, the creativity they possess, the joy they bring and the endless potential waiting to be nurtured, she added.
Her victory marks the beginning of a new chapter as she prepares to fly Nigeria’s flag at the upcoming Miss World competition in Vietnam, where she will seek to continue the country’s strong showing on the global stage.
