The crowning of Chidimma Adetshina as Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 has led to another heated digital conversation between South Africa and Nigeria.
Chidimma, who was born to a Nigerian father in South Africa, withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition due to backlash over her nationality.
Her Nigerian heritage attracted vicious xenophobic attacks and sparked controversy when she was announced as a Miss South Africa finalist in July, while the government said it was investigating a claim that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman.
Despite not being in the country in 20 years, organisers of the Nigerian contest invited her to join their final, saying it was a chance for her to “represent your father’s native land on an international stage.”
The former Miss South Africa contestant was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday. After her win, Chidimma stated, “This journey has been a tough journey for me and I am so proud of myself and I’m really grateful for the love and the support.”
However, many South Africans have taken to social media to express their discontent, with some calling Nigeria “lawless” and accusing the country of being a “fraud.”
Others accused Nigeria of “robbing other girls” and “cooking” the competition and some questioned the legitimacy of Chidimma’s Nigerian citizenship and claimed that she was only crowned to spite South Africa.
https://x.com/Gats_Jr/status/1830135695899234767 says “A lawless country like that one makes me laugh 😂 to crown a fraud”
https://x.com/_LeratoMabuzaM/status/1830136693329981847 says “Nigeria 🇳🇬 is lawless, what more can you expect from them”
https://x.com/elizabethmokoe4/status/1830136053761524175 says “It is a fact that Nigeria robbed other girls just to prove a point to SA that Chidima can be Miss Nigeria if they want to.”
https://x.com/OzalwauMaMnguni/status/1830139888181620984 says “Obviously it was cooked. First of all, they called her into the contest out of spite to SAns, without her auditioning. Obviously, they had to give her the title. I wonder how the other contestants are feeling about her reign!”
https://x.com/PresentMckennz1/status/1830147927882203338 says “Just waiting for Miss Universe organisers to have a say on this matter. I don’t see her taking part in Mexico because she is under investigation for identity fraud in SA, then boom got her papers sorted to be a Nigerian citizen, and boom she is now crowned. Lots of loopholes here.”
https://x.com/SocietyNews/status/1830146771772670157 says “Congratulations to Miss #ChidimmaAdetshina on winning the much coveted Miss Universe Nigeria. I hope she was not used as a Trojan horse to prove a point at the expense of other contestants, as many suspected. But I knew she would win. Don’t ask me how.”
Meanwhile, some South Africans have rallied behind Ufa Dania, a contestant representing Kwara State who did not win.
During the Chidimma controversy, Dania received an outpouring of support from South Africans online, with many voting for her. Some South Africans, who expected Dania to win, expressed sympathy for her, calling her the “true queen” and saying she would get bigger things than that crown.
“All eyes were on Nigeria; they had a chance to make history and change stereotypes, but as usual, they disappointed us Miss Kwara you will always be our Queen #MissUniverseNigeria.” wrote one X user.
Another user said “To all my Southy 🇿🇦 who voted for Miss Kwara Here is a reminder that you didn’t make a mistake. 🥺🤍 SADC we did it 😭 This is the year of Inclusivity 🤞🏽”
” Dear Miss Kwara, This pageant was just a stepping stone, not the ultimate destination. You will get bigger things than that crown. Your destiny is international, not local. See you on the global stage.👑”
Nigerians, on the other hand, were divided. While some celebrated Chidimma’s win and her resilience, others also questioned her deep connection to Nigeria.
https://x.com/LawrenceOkoroPG/status/1830148629841002651 says “Congratulations, Queen Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. I feel very sorry for those girls who have worked very hard preparing for this contest only to be rigging for clout. The organisers need the clout; Chidimma needs the crown; it’s a win for both parties.”
https://x.com/Night_OwlQueen/status/1830136525624852922 says “Chidinma Adetshina??? Which part of Nigeria is she from???? Adetshina is name, what state exactly?????”
https://x.com/LopezIyke_/status/1830136125937140142 says, “Let’s imagine what could have happened to Chidinma Vanessa Adetshina if she didn’t win Miss Universe. The South Africans would have killed her with their negative abuses since yesterday. Now let’s imagine that she wins Miss Universe (World). They will cry blood.”
