Tamunosoye Karibi-George, representing Bayelsa State, has emerged as Miss World Nigeria 2026, earning the right to represent the country at the prestigious Miss World Festival later this year in Vietnam.
The 26-year-old beauty queen clinched the coveted crown on Saturday during the grand finale held at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, after outperforming 19 other finalists from across the country.
Although she represented Bayelsa State in the competition, Karibi-George is an indigene of Rivers State. Her victory marks the beginning of a new chapter as she prepares to carry Nigeria’s hopes onto the global stage.
She will represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World Festival, scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, 2026.
The pageant, themed “Pride, Power, and Purpose,” showcased contestants from different states who competed not only on beauty and poise but also on their social impact initiatives and leadership qualities.
The winner was officially announced by Silverbird Group founder and former senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, who congratulated Karibi-George in a statement shared on X.
“WE HAVE A QUEEN! A new chapter begins. Please join us in celebrating TAMUNOSOYE KARIBI-GEORGE, representing Bayelsa State, as the newly crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026!” he wrote.
Murray-Bruce also highlighted the beauty queen’s advocacy project, Beyond Labels, which focuses on supporting children with special needs and promoting inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunities.
“More than a queen, Tamunosoye is a passionate advocate for change. Through her initiative, Beyond Labels, she champions inclusion, dignity, and empowerment for children with special needs, creating safe spaces where every child is encouraged to dream boldly and realise that their circumstances do not define their future,” he said.
He praised her intelligence, purpose, and commitment to social impact, noting that these qualities distinguished her throughout the competition.
Karibi-George succeeds Joy Mojisola Raimi, who represented Nigeria at the 72nd Miss World competition in Hyderabad, India, where she secured a place among the Top 20 contestants globally and ranked among the Top Five representatives from Africa.
Organised annually by the Silverbird Group, the Miss World Nigeria pageant serves as Nigeria’s official pathway to the international Miss World competition, with a strong focus on humanitarian projects through the globally recognised “Beauty with a Purpose” initiative.
