Tamunosoye Karibi-George has been crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 after emerging victorious at the grand finale of the national pageant held in Lagos over the weekend. Representing Bayelsa State, the 26-year-old beauty queen outshone 19 other contestants to claim the coveted crown.
The competition, themed “Pride, Power, and Purpose,” brought together contestants from across the country in a showcase of beauty, intelligence, leadership, and social impact. The event took place at the Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, attracting dignitaries, industry stakeholders, and pageant enthusiasts.
Although she represented Bayelsa State in the competition, Karibi-George is an indigene of Rivers State and hails from Port Harcourt. Her victory marks a significant milestone in her journey as a model, advocate, and public speaker.
Organisers and judges praised her poise, eloquence, and commitment to social causes. Through her initiative, “Beyond Labels,” Karibi-George advocates for the inclusion, dignity, and empowerment of children living with special needs, a cause that resonated strongly throughout the competition.
Founder of the Silverbird Group and former senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, celebrated her emergence, describing her as a queen with purpose whose passion for advocacy and service distinguished her among the contestants.
As the new titleholder, Karibi-George will represent Nigeria at the 73rd edition of the Miss World Festival scheduled to hold in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, 2026. She succeeds the outgoing queen, Joy Mojisola Raimi, who reached the Top 20 and finished among the Top 5 African contestants at the last Miss World pageant.
Speaking after her victory, the new queen expressed gratitude to her supporters and pledged to use her platform to champion meaningful social causes and positively impact communities across Nigeria. Her emergence has been widely celebrated as a triumph of purpose-driven leadership and advocacy.
With the national crown secured, all eyes will now be on Karibi-George as she prepares to carry Nigeria's hopes onto the global stage and compete against contestants from around the world at Miss World 2026.
