1987
English Language student Omasan Buwa who had previously competed in Miss Nigeria was crowned MBGN in 1987 to the dismay of the audience who were rooting for American-based Niki Onuaguluchi. Although the judges later declared that Onuaguluchi, at 5'6'', would not have stood a chance among taller rivals at International pageants, critics argued that she was the favourite to win. Buwa reportedly
accused Onuaguluchi of bringing in supporters to cheer her to victory. Buwa placed an impressive fifth at Miss Intercontinental that year, but has since been dubbed MBGN's
most unconventional winner due to her controversial bearing, and was labelled a tomboy by the Nigerian press.
1988
In 1989, it was revealed that MBGN 1988 Bianca Onoh was dating Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a political associate of her father who was over thirty years her senior. Their relationship made them tabloid favourites - the couple sued Climax magazine for stating that Onoh was pregnant whilst Ojukwu was also courting Miss Nigeria Binta Sukai, which the latter denied. Onoh, who was also Miss Intercontinental, subsequently informed the press that pressure had become unbearable and announced her resignation. As MBGN winners are discouraged from embarking on serious relationships during their tenure, Onoh's decision
enraged pageant organisers Silverbird who refuse to acknowledge her on the MBGN website to this day.
1990
Months into her reign, MBGN 1990 Sabina Umeh was entangled in controversy when
it was reported that her boyfriend Kesse
Jabari was working at Silverbird. Umeh, who had also won Miss Uniben during her university days, discredited these
allegations, arguing that she had contested back in 1987 when Jabari, who would later become an actor and fashion designer, was already an employee of the
organization, but still failed to place.
1992
Grace Abba who lost out to jailbird Sandra Petgrave was highly tipped to win the crown at MBGN 1992, until she stated during the interview round that the AIDS epidemic in Nigeria could be decelerated by encouraging citizens to keep their environment clean. Her answer caused the public to question the calibre of contestant, and the screening proccess which selected them.
1995
MBGN 1995 Toyin Raji was a favourite to win until she was pressured by human rights activists to withdraw from Miss World that year following the execution of nine political prisoners including author Ken Saro-Wiwa, but was awarded the Personality Prize during the final. South African president Nelson Mandela assured Raji that the anger was not directed at her
personally, and asked her to take the message of opposition to the Sani Abacha
regime back to her homeland.
2001
Shortly after Agbani Darego's victory at Miss World, Miss Nigeria 2001
Amina Ekpo took legal action against her MBGN counterpart who was
accused of misrepresentation claiming that Darego had fraudulently
presented herself as "Miss Nigeria", and had
not been authorised to use the title. Daily Times managing director Onukaba Adinoyi Ojo later attempted to wrestle the rights to represent Nigeria at Miss World from Silverbird, but lost the case in court.
2002
Despite her popularity with the public at Miss Universe 2002, Chinenye Ochuba failed to place at the pageant as did several other black contestants, thus creating the term "2002 Blackout".
2011
In 2011,
winner Sylvia Nduka was asked why she had failed to promptly respond to a
question during the interview stage, and she replied that she was a pageant novice. However, YouTube videos reveal that she had previously competed in Miss Nigeria 2010 where she received coaching in etiquette and media; this was later confirmed by former MN director and MBGN 1991 Nike Oshinowo. Silverbird defended Nduka, stating that the public was never approved of the winner, while judges at the occasion argued that Nduka was not the contestant they had chosen.
2012
2012 saw the biggest age scandal in Nigeria's pageant history since Valerie Peterside's dethronement as Miss Nigeria in 2001. MBGN winner Isabella Ayuk claimed to be twenty-six when she competed,
until reports suggested that she had forged her age, thus giving the
impression that she was younger than her actual years. Silverbird came to her defense by stating that contrary to popular
belief, Ayuk would not dethroned and would continue to reign. However, she was not sent to represent Nigeria at Miss World.
It is widely believed that veteran broadcaster Julie Coker was the first Miss Nigeria, but that honour was actually bestowed on Grace Oyelude after her brother secretly submitted her photograph to the Daily Times who invited her to Lagos for the grand final. She used her prize money to travel to England where she gained a diploma in Nursing and Hospital administration. A former employee of the United African Company, Oyelude was based in several hospitals in Northern Nigeria including Ahamadu Bello
University Teaching Hospital as director of Nursing Services, and for three years she was chairman of the Kwara State
Health Management Board. Oyelude also added Midwifery to her achievements, and has been honoured by several organisations for her contributions to her profession.
Now in her eighties, Oyelude has since retired been conferred the titles Iyaolu of Isaluland and Iyalode of Okunland. In 2013, she crowned the current Miss Nigeria Ezinne Akudo Anyaoha.
Nearly thirty years ago Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu made history when she won the maiden edition of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. Already a graduate (She studied at University of Buckingham and University of California), Chuba-Ikpeazu briefly worked as a model in America and was on holiday in Lagos when she saw the advert for MBGN 1986. Preparation was almost stress-free as a maillot and evening gown were already in her suitcase given her love for swimming and parties, but she still borrowed some African prints from her mother for the traditional segment. Her father, Chief Justice Chuba Ikpeazu, had not been informed of her decision to compete, and received the shock of his life when his daughter was shown live on NTA strutting on stage. She would later represent Nigeria at Miss Universe, becoming the first Nigerian representative since 1964, but achieved greater success as the winner of Miss Africa 1987, making her the first MBGN to win an international pageant. Her prize included promoting Gambia's newly-launched national airline, but she faced criticism after declaring in Quality that her greatest love was money and Nigerians were unable to afford her. After her reign, Chuba-Ikpeazu worked in the oil industry before branching into politics, joining the House of Representatives and winning the Nigerian National Assembly election as a candidate for the People's Democratic Party.
A qualified lawyer, she is now a partner at Ikpeazu Chambers, and a member of the board of directors at Anambra United football club. Recent pictures prove that even thirty years on, she is still a stunner.
Since winning the 2014 edition of Miss Ambassador for Peace Nigeria, Rebecca Ademoluti has represented the brand by promoting peace in the country with peace summits and seminars, and educating the youth on abstaining from violence in the dawn of the just-concluded elections whilst advocating essential principles affirmed by major faith traditions. She has also embarked on a national tour,which has seen her visit most states, and won an all-expenses-paid trip to South Africa. In a few months Ademoluti, a former MBGN contestant, has blossomed into a strong confident woman portraying attributes the nation endorses, and continues to maintain her status as a role model.
The search for her successor has commenced, and is open to Nigerian women between the ages of 18 and 26, and should be no shorter than 5'5''. Screening locations include Owerri, Uyo, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, and a non-refundable fee of 5000 Naira should be paid at any branch of Diamond Bank.
Remember, it could be YOU!
The maiden edition of Miss Orient Nigeria commences on April 3 at the Grace Events Centre in Port Harcourt. Contestants have already been selected, and are currently in camp rehearsing for the grand final. The main aim of MON is to "reorientate, direct, and encourage Nigerian [female children] bedevilled
by harsh economic realities, emotional, and psychological turbulence that
have made their gullible minds vulnerable to negative influences like
prostitution and drug abuse". The winner is also expected to run an non-government organisation to promote the values of the pagent via campaigns and seminars.
Following a delay which saw Miss Nigeria postpone its annual competition in 2014, the pageant has returned for 2015. To compete, a non-refundable fee of 5000 Naira can be paid at various branches of Zenith bank, after which the teller number is submitted to the MN organisation via its website. Official documents should be uploaded in addition to keying in the contestant's fullname and e-mail address. As with the last edition, MN 2015 is open to contestants in the diaspora that wish to compete; International contestants are required to make a two-minute YouTube video in which they give details of their background and explain why they wish to become the new Miss Nigeria.
Please note that prompt registration does not guarantee instant selection; MN screenings are often a lengthy process which may necessitate extra auditions. The organisers have also stressed that they seek a queen that portrays exemplary qualities and serves as a role model for young women in Nigeria, as opposed to merely a pretty face. The age limit is 18 - 25, and all contestants must be unmarried without children, fluent in English, and Nigerian.
