Nigeria is home to some unbelievably beautiful and truly charming ladies who are known to completely dazzle audiences at beauty pageants. As a matter of fact, some of the most beautiful girls in Nigeria are also among the most beautiful girls in Africa and even around the world. From the Igbos to the Yorubas and the Hausas as well as the Niger-Deltans and Middle-Beltan ladies, Nigeria boasts of an army of gorgeous women who are blessed with startling facial beauty accompanied by mindblowing body features and, to top it all, brains! So, a thrilling combination of beauty and brains has always set the Nigerian girl apart.
Over the years, the most beautiful girls in Nigeria have not only blown the minds of observers at the local Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageants but have also gone on to dazzle at the world stage, winning laurels at international beauty contests. In fact, Nigeria now boasts of producing the first indigenous African to win Miss World; Agbani Darego. Of course, the most beautiful girls in Nigeria are also among the most beautiful girls in Africa and, indeed, around the world.
Most Beautiful Girls in Nigeria Who Were Crowned MBGN Winners
Different amazing ladies have taken part in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant since the competition was established in 1986. For the record, the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant, which is more commonly known by its abbreviation MBGN, is a yearly Nigerian beauty pageant organized by Silverbird Group with the high-sounding goal of crowning the most beautiful Nigerian girls and then sending the Nigerian representatives to international competitions.
Dozens of stunning Nigerian ladies have been crowned winners of the competition since its inception and some of these women have gone to win do amazing things in the world, including winning the highly prestigious Miss World title.
1. Nyekachi Douglas (MBGN 2019 Winner)
- State Represented: Rivers State
- State of Origin: Rivers State
- Age at the Time: 21
- International Representation and Placement: Finished Top 5 at the 2019 Miss World Pageant
Nyekachi Douglas, a young Nigerian woman who hails from the Emohua local government area of Rivers State, is a public health student at the University of South Florida. The stunning beauty took the crown after she emerged the winner of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 2019. She represented her home state and stunned the judges with her incredible good looks and brains. The young woman was actually a freelance model before she started training for the pageant, and had actually worked in the fashion industry. She knew what the entire pageant meant for her career and she gave it her all.
After winning the MBGN title, Douglas was sent to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2019 beauty pageant. The prestigious event held on the 14th day of December 2019 at the ExCeL London Convention Centre in London, United Kingdom, and featured gorgeous ladies from all over the world who had won their respective national beauty pageants.
Nyekachi Douglas did not win the Miss World 2019 pageant as a Jamaican beauty called Toni-Ann Singh was crowned the winner. However, Douglas did very well and finished Top 5 at the end of the event finale. She was also crowned the continental winner of Miss World Africa at end of the pageant, taking over from the 2018 winner of the continental crown, Quiin Abenakyo, who was Miss Uganda 2018.
Nyekachi Douglas made headlines around the world with what she did after the winner of Miss World 2019 was announced. Even though Douglas did not win, she was caught on camera jumping and dancing in happiness for the winner, Toni-Ann Singh, who happened to be her friend.
In 2020 when your friend starts a new business, podcast, therapy, anything that enhances their life.
Be her Miss Nigeria. 🇳🇬🇳🇬❤️❤️
— Miss DMX Sunshine (@MissMSunshine_) December 14, 2019
Nyekachi Douglas’ happiness for her newly-crowned Miss World friend endeared her to many people around the world who appreciated her for being a true friend to Toni-Ann Singh. Videos of her dancing and celebrating Toni-Ann Singh went viral on social media and she became even more popular among her folks back home.
Nyekachi used her platform as a beauty queen to improve the Makoko community in Lagos, especially the slums of the town. She worked to improve the poor waste management system in the area and tried to work on infection prevention and control. She also got funding and built a school in the area and met with the residents to improve the way they lived.
2. Anita Ukah (MBGN 2018 Winner)
- State Represented: Imo State
- State of Origin: Imo State
- Age at the Time: 23
- International Representation and Placement: Finished Top 30 at the 2018 Miss World Pageant
A Nigerian model who is also an entrepreneur, Anita Ukah is a very attractive lady who won the MBGN title in 2018. However, the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant was not the first beauty pageant she won. Before winning the MBGN title, Ukah took part in the Miss Igbinedion University Okada (IUO) contest in 2014 as a student of the school and emerged the winner of the contest. She was about 19 years old at the time. Born on the 14th of August 1995, she is now 29 years old.
In 2018, about 4 years after winning the Miss Igbinedion University Okada contest, Ukah went on to take part in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant. She represented Imo state at the event and emerged victoriously. She beat out all the other contestants and was crowned winner at the competition’s grand finale which held at the Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
After she emerged winner of the 2018 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant, Anita Ukah went on to represent Nigeria at the 2018 Miss World pageant with many Nigerians hoping she would go far in the competition. However, Ukah did not win the beauty pageant but she did come in Top 30 at the end of the competition held at the Sanya City Arena in Sanya, China on the 8th of December 2018. The beautiful Vanessa Ponce of Mexico was crowned the winner at the end of the event.
Anita Ukah is a great ambassador of Nigeria and is known for promoting locally made goods, asking fellow Nigerians to buy them. The ex-beauty queen is now an entrepreneur. In the year 2019, she established her own fashion accessories brand that she called The Uzo Brand. Her fashion company is into the production of leather-made goods, mainly bags, from locally sourced materials.
3. Ugochi Ihezue (MBGN 2017 Winner)
- State Represented: Kebbi State
- Age at the Time: 27
- State of Origin: Imo State
- International Representation and Placement: Finished Top 15 at the 2017 Miss World Pageant
A truly gorgeous beauty, Ugochi Ihezue won the 2017 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria crown, beating out 36 other contestants to clinch the MBGN title. Even though she is a native of Umukegwu-Akokwa in the Ideato-North Local Government Area of Imo State, she represented Kebbi State in the MBGN pageant and emerged the winner eventually.
Interestingly, Ihezue started modeling in 2015, about two years before winning the coveted MBGN crown. In fact, she took part in the Elite Model Look competition in 2015 and ended up among the top five before getting signed to an agency. With this background, Ihezue understood what it meant to partake in the MBGN pageant and gave it her best shot which paid off in the end.
Ihezue, a graduate of the University of Benin, stood out during the contest that was held at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos, on September 15, 2017, and was crowned the winner. After her victory at the MBGN pageant, Ugochi, as expected, went on to represent Nigeria on the Miss World stage. The beauty queen did well during the Miss World contest. Even though she did not win it, she finished among the top 15 girls, edging out more than a hundred other beauties from around the world. She also made history by becoming the first-ever model from Nigeria to win the Miss World Top Model Competition. The Miss World 2017 itself was won by the Indian beauty, Manushi Chhillar.
In 2018, Ugochi Ihezue revealed that she had just two weeks to prepare for the Miss World contest after winning the MBGN pageant. However, she managed to shine through. Born on the 16th of August, 1990, Ihezue is now 34 years old.
4. Unoaku Anyadike (MBGN 2015 Winner)
- State Represented: Anambra State
- State of Origin: Anambra State
- Age at the Time: 21
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2015 Pageant
Unoaku Anyadike was the winner of the 2015 version of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant. Even though it was a hotly contested battle, Anyadike, who is a truly stunning charmer, beat out all the other contestants to emerge the winner of the show that held in Calabar. Born on the 16th of September 1994, the beauty queen is now 30 years old.
Interestingly, 2015 was not the first time Unoaku Anyadike took part in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant. She had taken part in the contest the previous year in 2014, representing Lagos State. However, she failed to win the show but finished among the top 15 contestants. She decided to try again in 2015 and this time, while representing Anambra, was finally crowned MBGN winner.
After she had won the MBGN 2015 pageant, Unoaku Anyadike went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2015 pageant. The event was held at the outdoor arena of the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China on 19 December 2015 and had 114 contestants from all over the world in attendance, competing for the crown. Anyadike did not win the crown and was also unplaced at the end of the show. She also represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant.
5. Iheoma Nnadi (MBGN 2014 Winner)
- State Represented: Akwa Ibom State
- State of Origin: Imo State
- Age at the Time: 19
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2014 pageant
One look at Iheoma Nnadi will tell you exactly why she is a winner of the coveted MBGN title. Blessed with insanely gorgeous looks, Nnadi won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2014, stunning many with her beauty. Born on the 15th of May 1995, Nnadi was only 19 at the time. She is now 29 years old. The pagent held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and had in attendance as many as 30 beautiful girls who represented 30 Nigerian states, all trying to win the star prize. Nnadi beat the other girls to emerge MBGN winner.
After she won the MBGN crown, Iheoma Nnadi went on to represent Nigeria at Miss World 2014. The event held at the ExCeL London Convention Centre and had 121 contestants present, all competing for the crown. Nnadi joined the other girls at the competition but did not go very far and was unplaced. A South African beauty named Rolene Strauss was crowned Miss World that year.
6. Anna Banner (MBGN 2013 Winner)
- State Represented: Bayelsa State
- State of Origin: Bayelsa State
- Age at the Time: 18
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2013 Pageant
At just 18 years of age, Nigerian beauty Anna Banner stunned fellow Nigerians to emerge the winner of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2013. The gorgeous model, who is blessed with beauty and brains, beat out dozens of other girls to win the crown. The hotly contested event held on July 19, 2013, in Bayelsa State and had 32 girls chasing the crown. However, in the end, Banner beat the other 31 girls to be crowned MBGN winner. Born on the 18th of February 1995, Anna Banner is now 29 years old.
After she won the MBGN pageant, Anna Banner was appointed the Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism to Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. She also went on to represent Nigeria at the 2013 Miss World pageant which held at Bali Nusa Dua International Convention Center, South Kuta, Bali, Indonesia on 28 September 2013. Anna did not go too far at the event and was unplaced. The Miss World crown that year was eventually won by the beautiful Megan Young of the Philippines.
Anna Banner has since launched an acting career. She made her acting debut in Super Story in 2014.
7. Isabella Ayuk (MBGN 2012 Winner)
- State Represented: Cross River State
- State of Origin: Cross River State
- Age at the Time: 25
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2012
An incredibly attractive woman, Isabella Ayuk is the beautiful lady from Cross River State who won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2012. She beat out other contenders at the event which held at took place at the Best Western Hotel in Benin, Edo State on May 5, 2012, to win the coveted crown. She was 25 years old at the time.
However, shortly after she was named MBGN winner, Ayuk was involved in a serious scandal after reports emerged that she falsified her age to participate in the MBGN pageant. Some reports claimed she was already in her 30s but lied that she was 25. It was claimed that she had been dethroned because she falsified her age. However, in a subsequent report, the management of the MBGN, Silverbird Group, explained that Isabella Ayuk had not been disqualified and that the rumors were just baseless insinuations. The organizers, however, revealed that Isabella Ayuk would not be vying for the Miss World title as expected of MBGN winners but that she will be contesting for the Miss Universe crown instead. She was replaced on the Miss World stage by MBGN 2012 runner-up Damiete Charles-Granville.
It is noteworthy that before she won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2012 pageant, Isabella Ayuk, who studied Business Administration at the University of Calabar, had earlier taken part in several other pageants, including the 2009 and 2010 editions of MBGN as well as Miss Nigeria 2004, Miss South-South 2007, and Miss Global Nigeria 2009. After she was named MBGN winner, Ayuk embarked on a campaign to create Typhoid Awareness. She did this in memory of her sister who had died of the disease. Born on the 10th of May 1986, the ex-beauty queen is now 38 years old.
8. Sylvia Nduka (MBGN 2011 Winner)
- State Represented: Taraba State
- State of Origin: Anambra State
- Age at the Time: 19
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2011
Beautiful Nigerian model Sylvia Nduka was the winner of the 2011 edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant. She was only 19 years old at the time of the contest. Nduka, an Accounting graduate of the University of Lagos, emerged victorious over dozens of other girls who converged to compete for the MBGN crown.
Even though she is from Anambra State, Sylvia represented Taraba State in the competition. The event held at the Eko Hotel in Lagos on June 25, 2011, and had in attendance over 30 girls from all over the country. The competition was stiff but Nduka eventually clinched the MBGN title. Born on the 14th of October 1992, the model is now 32 years old.
After winning the MBGN crown, Sylvia Nduka went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World pageant. The event was held at the Earls Court Two in London, the United Kingdom on 6 November 2011 and had in attendance 113 girls who were vying for the star prize. Nduka did not go too far and was unplaced at the contest. Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela won the Miss World crown that year.
During her reign, Sylvia Nduka helped to empower people through promoting education and serving less-privileged children. She was able to do this by creating an NGO called the ‘Sylvia Educational Foundation’. The beauty queen has since taken up entrepreneurship. She now runs her own hair extension business called Sylvia’s Hair.
9. Fiona Amuzie-Iredu (MBGN 2010 Winner)
- State Represented: Plateau State
- State of Origin: Anambra State
- Age at the Time: 18
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2010
Fiona Amuzie-Iredu was the winner of the 2010 edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant. At the time she won the title, she was only 19 years old. Born on the 6th of October 1991, the model is now 33 years old.
Even though Fiona hails from Abatete, Idemili-North LGA of Anambra state, she represented Plateau State at the MBGN 2010 contest and beat all the other girls to emerge the winner. At the time she took part in the contest, Fiona Amuzie-Iredu was a Microbiology undergraduate at the University of Jos. However, after she won the MBGN crown, she did not complete her education at the University of Jos but decided to relocate to the United Kingdom where she attended Coventry University and bagged a B.Sc in Psychology.
After she won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria crown, Fiona Amuzie-Iredu went on to represent Nigeria at the 2010 Miss World pageant which held at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China on 30 October 2010. However, she did not go very far and was unplace at the event. The Miss World crown that year was won by the beautiful Alexandria Mills of the United States.
During her MBGN reign, Fiona tried to impact the lives of people by reaching out to disadvantaged members of society. She was majorly concerned with working against women trafficking and actually worked with the National Agency for the Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons.
10. Glory Chukwu (MBGN 2009 Winner)
- State Represented: Nasarawa State
- State of Origin: Abia State
- Age at the Time: 23
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2009
Blessed with beauty and brains, Glory Chukwu won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2009. She was 23 years old at the time she won the coveted crown. Even though she is from Abia State, Chukwu represented Nasarawa State at the MBGN pageant.
The MBGN 2009 edition was held at Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, and, after all the pomp and pageantry, Glory Chukwu was named the MBGN winner. Chukwu, a microbiology graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, stunned the judges with not just her beauty but with her brains as well. The model has since acquired a master’s degree in Management and Information Systems from Cranfield, UK.
After she won the MBGN crown, Glory Chukwu went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2009 pageant, joining 111 other girls to compete for the global crown. The event held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on 12 December 2009. However, Chukwu did not go too far and was unplaced at the event. Kaiane Aldorino of Gibraltar won that year’s Miss World crown.
During her reign, Glory Chukwu tried to help disadvantaged children by working with charity organizations to rehabilitate and renovate children’s wards in Nigerian hospitals.
11. Adaeze Igwe (MBGN 2008 Winner)
- State Represented: Anambra State
- State of Origin: Anambra State
- Age at the Time: 18
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2008
Adaeze Igwe, who is now known as Adaeze Yobo after marrying the popular Nigerian ex-footballer Joseph Yobo, won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2008. She was just about 18 years old at the time she was crowned the MBGN winner, stunning people with her beauty and intelligence. Born on April 14, 1990, she is now 34 years old.
Adaeze represented her home state of Anambra at the MBGN 2008 edition and beat 29 other girls to clinch the MBGN title. Following her big win, she went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2018 edition. However, she did not go too far at the event and was unplaced. The 2018 Miss World event held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on 13 December 2008. The Miss World crown that year was won by Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia.
During her reign as MBGN winner, Adaeze used her platform to spread awareness about Sickle Cell disease. She also set up her own charity called The Adaeze Igwe Foundation in order to promote AIDS and breast cancer awareness. The Foundation was also meant to raise funds to tackle malaria and tuberculosis.
12. Munachi Nwankwo (MBGN 2007 Winner)
- State Represented: Imo State
- State of Origin: Imo State
- Age at the Time: 19
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2007
Munachi Nwankwo, popularly known as Munachi Abii or just simply Muna, won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2007. She represented her home state of Imo at the prestigious beauty pageant and was victorious after beating out 30 other contestants at the event held in Lagos. Munachi took part in the beauty pageant during her second year at the Benson Idahosa University where she was studying International Relations and Diplomacy. She was just 19 years old at the time when she won the MBGN title. Born on 5 November 1987, she is now 36 years old.
Following her victory at the MBGN pageant, Munachi went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2007 pageant. However, she did not go too far at the event and was unplaced. The Miss World 2007 event held at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China on 1 December 2007 and had 106 contestants all vying for the crown. Zhang Zilin of China eventually won the crown.
During her reign as MBGN winner, Munachi worked hard to spread awareness on Polio and Sickle cell diseases. In the year 2009, the model worked with Matilda Kerry, the MBGN 2000 winner, to raise awareness on cervical cancer. Muna has since launched a career as a rapper and songwriter. She is known for several hit singles including Feel Real, and Killer Queen. She is renowned for becoming one of the female rappers who represented Nigeria on the globally televised BET Cypher for the BET Awards in 2011.
13. Abiola Bashorun (MBGN 2006 Winner)
- State Represented: Lagos State
- State of Origin: Lagos State
- Age at the Time: 18
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2006
Abiola Bashorun, a thorough Nigerian beauty, won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageantry in 2006. The stunning charmer emerged winner after battling for the title with over 30 other girls. She was just 18 years old at the time and was the surprise winner of the annual pageant, stunning many who thought some other girl would win.
After she was named MBGN winner, Abiola Bashorun went on to represent Nigeria at the 2006 Miss World pageant. The event was held at the Sala Kongresowa, the main 2,897-seat auditorium of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland on 30 September 2006. 104 girls, including Abiola Bashorun, took part in the contest, however, Bashorun did not go too far as she was unplaced. Taťána Kuchařová from the Czech Republic was crowned at the event.
During her reign as a beauty queen, Abiola Baroshun used her platform to spread awareness about Sickle Cell disease after being inspired by the loss of a friend to the disease. In fact, she went about using most of her reign organizing workshops and seminars around the country to educate Nigerians on the disease.
14. Omowunmi Akinnifesi (MBGN 2005 Winner)
- State Represented: Kwara State
- State of Origin: Lagos State
- Age at the Time: 18
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2005
Respected as a very ambitious and creative woman, Omowunmi Akinnifesi is the beautiful lady who won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2005. Born in 1987, she was about 18 years old at the time she was crowned MBGN winner. A graduate of Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Lagos, Akinnifesi is not just known for her beauty but for her brains as well.
After she was crowned the MBGN winner, Omowunmi Akinnifesi went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2005 pageant. The event was held at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China on 10 December 2005 and had 102 girls, including Akinnifesi competing for the crown. Akinnifesi did not go too far at the event and was unplaced. But she did win the Miss Tourism International Pageant and the Miss Bikini International.
Akinnifesi used her platform as a beauty queen to promote the fight against climate change and get people to understand the importance of tree planting to reduce the carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. In 2009, she was appointed Environmental Ambassador by the then Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola.
The beauty queen has since become a businesswoman. At the moment, she has a fashion brand called ‘Omowunmi’ and a sister brand called ‘Wumi. She is also the owner of Elletech, an Environmental Consultancy, and Ellepoise, an Interior Decor firm, among others.
15. Anita Uwagbale (MBGN 2004 Winner)
- State Represented: Edo State
- State of Origin: Edo State
- Age at the Time: 19
- International Representation and Placement: Placed top 15 at the Miss World 2004 pageant.
Now a businesswoman, Anita Uwagbale is the gorgeous beauty who won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2004, thrilling the judges and audience with her grace and charm. Born in 1985, Uwagbale was just about 19 years old at the time she emerged winner of the beauty pageant and was still an undergraduate at Madonna University, Port Harcourt where she was studying Accountancy.
After she won the MBGN beauty pageant, Anita Uwagbale went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2004 pageant. The event held at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China on 4 December 2004 and had 107 contestants, including Anita Uwagbale, all vying for the crown. Uwagbale did not win the star prize but she went far in the competition, placing among the top 15 semi-finalists at the event. The Nigerian beauty was also named the African Continental Queen of Beauty.
During her reign as a beauty queen, Anita Uwagbale used her platform to spread awareness on Environmental Pollution and helped to get people more conscious of the subject. She has since become a businesswoman who runs different businesses, including a motherhood retail chain called The Baby Store.
16. Omotu Bissong (MBGN 2003 Winner)
- State Represented: Cross River State
- State of Origin: Cross River State
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2003.
Omotu Bissong, a Nigerian model who is also a television presenter and actress, is the lady who won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2003. She is revered as the first Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria winner from the South-South. At the time she emerged winner of the contest, she was still a third-year Economics undergraduate at the University of Calabar.
After winning the MBGN crown, Omotu proceeded to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2003 pageant. The event held at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China on 6 December 2003 was won by Rosanna Davison of Ireland. Omotu did not go too far in the contest and was unplaced.
During her reign as a beauty queen, she campaigned thoroughly against HIV/AIDS and worked hard to create necessary awareness about the disease. She also helped to promote tourism. As a model, Bissong worked in Nigeria for a while before moving to the United States where she managed to sign up with a model agency whilst studying Accounting at the City University of New York. She later returned to Nigeria and opened a model management company. She also worked in television and became an actress.
17. Chinenye Ochuba (MBGN 2002 Winner)
- State Represented: Anambra State
- State of Origin: Anambra State
- Age at the Time: 19
- International Representation and Placement: Placed Top 10 at Miss World 2002 Pageant
A natural beauty, Chinenye Ochuba is the winner of the 2002 edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant. She won the pageant while awaiting admission into university following the completion of her secondary education. There was stiff competition at the contest but she emerged victoriously. Born in 1983, Ochuba won the contest when she was about 19 years old.
After her victory, she represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2002 pageant held at the Alexandra Palace in London, the United Kingdom on 7 December 2002. 88 beautiful ladies from around the world took part in the event and Ochuba was one of them. Even though she did not win the crown, Ochuba did very by beating 78 girls to finish among the top 10 finalists. She also won the African Continental Queen of Beauty.
The model later completed her degree in Accounting and Financing, graduating with a second-class upper degree from the University of Greenwich, London in 2008. When she returned to Nigeria, she worked for the oil company Exxon Mobil.
18. Agbani Darego (MBGN 2001 Winner)
- State Represented: Rivers State
- State of Origin: Lagos State
- Age at the Time: 18
- International Representation and Placement: Won the Miss World 2001 pageant.
The history of Nigerian beauty pageantry can never be completely told without the mention of Agbani Darego. She is considered to be the most successful model in the history of Nigeria having won the highest prizes in world beauty pageantry and having also worked with some of the biggest names in modeling from around the world.
Agbani took part in the MBGN pageantry in 2001 and was eventually crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria at the event’s grand finale. Her beauty stood out as she stunned both judges and audience members with her truly gorgeous looks and intelligence. Afterward, she set off to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2001 pageant.
The Miss World 2001 event was held at the Super Bowl of Sun City Entertainment Centre in Sun City, South Africa on 16 November 2001. The event featured 93 contestants from all over the world who were all vying to win the title. With her startling beauty and charming poise, Agbani Darego stunned the world by brushing past all the other contestants to win the title and be crowned Miss World. By achieving this feat, she became the first indigenous African to win the prestigious Miss World crown.
Nigerians were very excited about Agbani Darego’s victory and when she returned back home, she was given a hero’s welcome. During her reign, she embarked on several goodwill trips and made many scheduled appearances on behalf of the MBGN pageant. She was also awarded an honorary chieftaincy by the Council of Chiefs of Lagos. Because she was only a teenager at the time, this award made her one of the youngest chiefs in the country at the time of her investiture. Darego was also honored with a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) title.
After her reign was over, Agbani went on to work with big names in the modeling world, including Naomi Campbell. She also modeled for top brands like Vogue, Avon, Christian Dior, Sephora, Target, and others. She has appeared in countless influential magazines both in Nigerian and abroad and was the face of Arik Air. The ex-beauty queen has since served as a judge of different pageants, fashion, and modeling competitions over the years, including Miss World 2014 and Miss England 2002. She also has her own denim range called AD by Agbani Darego.
19. Matilda Kerry (MBGN 2000 Winner)
- State Represented: Rivers State
- Age at the Time: 19
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 2000 Pageant
Now a community health doctor, Matilda Kerry is the ex-beauty queen who was crowned as the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 2000. Born in 1981, she was about 19 years old when she was named the winner of the pageant. After winning the MGBN title, Kerry went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2000. The event was held at the Millennium Dome in London, the United Kingdom on 30 November 2000. Matilda did not go too far at the event and was unplaced.
During her reign, Ms. Kerry helped to spread awareness about leprosy. She is now a public health physician who has a special interest in Women’s Health. The 2000 MGBN winner founded the George Kerry Life Foundation in 2007 and has helped to provide pre-cancer treatment to over 100,000 families for free or at a highly subsidized rate.
20. Angela Ukpoma (MBGN 1999 Winner)
- State Represented: Imo State
- International Representation and Placement: Represented Nigeria at the Miss World 1999 Pageant
Blessed with staggering facial beauty and impressive body build, Angela Ukpoma is the charming lady who won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 1999. The beauty represented Imo State at the event and emerged victoriously.
Following her crowing as MBGN winner, Ukoma went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss World 1999 pageant. The event was held at the Olympia Hall in London, the United Kingdom on 4 December 1999 and featured 94 contestants from around the world. Angela Ukpoma did not go too far in the contest and was unplaced.
Ukpoma has gone on to do other things when her reign was over. As matter of fact, the former beauty queen is also a singer, actress as well as a voice-over artist. She now resides in Washington, the United States of America.
Notable Ladies Who Contested But Failed To Win The MBGN Pageant
Some notable Nigerian ladies took part in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant but failed to win. Some of these persons include:
- Lilian Bach, a Nigerian actress
- Kehinde Bankole, a Nigerian actress, model, and television host
- Sylvia Edem, Miss Nigeria 2002
- Janet Fateye (also known as Kemi Fateye), a singer and Miss Nigeria 1993
- Ibinabo Fiberesima, an actress, and event manager.
- Nengi Hampson, BBNaija star
- Alex Lopez, an actress
- Erica Nlewedim, BBNaija star, actress, and model, and many others.
- Stephanie Okereke, a popular actress, and director