•Tamunosoye Karibi-George
The federal government has urged Nigerians to support Miss World Nigeria 2026, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, in the ongoing 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam.
Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, made the call in a post on X today, praising Karibi-George for her performance at the global pageant and urging Nigerians to vote for her as the competition enters its decisive stages.
The minister said Karibi-George’s emergence as Africa’s Top Model and qualification for the Top 40 had made Nigerians proud, while commending her for using the platform to promote Nigeria and advocate for issues affecting young people.
•Miss World Nigeria is seeking votes to win Miss World Festival People’s Choice
“Dear Soye, seeing you carry Nigeria’s name with such grace, confidence and purpose on the Miss World stage has made us incredibly proud.
“Emerging as Africa’s Top Model and securing your place in the Top 40 is a remarkable achievement. But beyond the competition, you have used this platform to showcase Nigeria to the world, speak about issues that truly matter, and inspire so many young people.”
Urging Nigerians to support the beauty queen, Musawa said voting would close in nine hours.
“Nigerians continue to stand with you. There are just 9 hours left to vote, and the window is closing fast. Soye needs every vote and every point matters for the stages ahead,” she said.
She also called on Nigerians to share information about the voting process and encourage others to support the Nigerian representative.
“Please, let’s come together, vote, share and encourage others to do the same.
It was earlier reported that Karibi-George, 26, is representing Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam.
She was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos, emerging winner from 20 finalists.
A native of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, she represented Bayelsa State during the national competition.
Karibi-George is a communications professional, an associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative focused on inclusion and empowerment for children with special needs.
Before winning the Miss World Nigeria crown, she won Miss Africa International 2024 in Accra, Ghana.
At the ongoing global pageant, she emerged Africa’s Top Model and secured a place among the Top 40 contestants.
Karibi-George had earlier described her participation in the competition as an opportunity to promote Nigeria and advance her advocacy.
“With purpose in my heart, I depart Nigeria to represent our great nation at the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam,” she wrote.
She added, “This journey is about more than competing for the Blue Crown. It is about representing the strength, culture, tenacity, and compassion of our nation, while continuing to champion the Beyond Labels Initiative and the belief that every individual deserves to be seen for their potential.”
Karibi-George will now hope to advance further in the competition and improve on Joy Mojisola Raimi’s Top 20 finish at the previous edition.
