The new beauty queen was crowned on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

She will be representing Nigeria at the 2021 Miss World pageant, which will take place in Puerto Rico on Dec 16, 2021.

The first runner-up was Miss Anambra, Maristella Okpala, she will represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant.

Miss Abia, Adaeze Chineme emerged as the second runner-up and will represent Nigeria at Miss Supranational.

Miss Bayelsa, Mercy Jessica Odjugo, clinched the third runner-up position. She is MBGN Tourism.

The event kicked off with the 37 contestants, dressed in bikini attires. It was followed by the evening outfits which was a major highlight of the evening.

Guests were entertained with performances from the ‘Koko master’ himself, Dbanj and rapper Vector.

Toke Makinwa and Bovi were the hosts for the evening.

Odion Okonofua
ODION OKONOFUA

 

PAST QUEENS

 

Dr. Matilda Kerry is a former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) in 2000. At the end of her one year reign as Miss Nigeria, she handed over her crown to Agbani Darego in 2001, same year Miss Darego won Miss World International Beauty Contest. A graduate of Medicine and Surgery from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University of Lagos, declined to speak on her reign as Miss Nigeria, but told Flora Onwudiwe why she is passionate about creating awareness for women in the community. Excerpts…

When you won the crown as the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), your major concern was to raise awareness for leprosy victims, how well did it go in creating the awareness?

I put my best in, as my heart really went out to them. I attended Federal Government Girls’ College Benin and would always see people with Leprosy along the bad patches of the Lagos Benin Expressway begging for alms. This had always bothered me and why I decided to use the platform to draw more awareness to their situation. At the time awareness reached many donors and even the government of Edo state which swung into action to provide some relief but there still needs to be consistent work on sustainable programmes for this marginalised group.

 

 

 

OMOTU BISSONG 2020 : Winning MBGN was a turning point for me

Omotu Bissong is a beauty queen and winner of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageants which took her to other pageant like Miss World and Miss Universe.  She is also an actress and TV host. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she opens up on her experiences, opportunities, challenges and more.

Tell us about Life as a beauty queen.  What was the inspiration?

It is interesting looking back now at how becoming a beauty queen totally changes your outlook on life. You are launched onto this pedestal into a leadership role, it changes your perceptions, you become more conscious of how you act, increases your confidence, opens doors, gives you opportunities to experience beautiful moments, the list is endless. It really was a life altering moment filled with beautiful memories.

What are your memories as Most BeautifulGirl in Nigeria?

Oh my! The memories are too many, from being in camp with all the other beautiful contestants some of which are still lifelong friends till today to attending the Miss world and Miss Universe pageants respectively and making lifelong friends with beauty queens across the world. I actually met up with my friend from the Miss World pageant, Miss Singapore I think two years ago. We found out we were in the same city and had lunch. Meeting new people and making great connections on a day to day basis, to being able to pursue your dreams and goals. The list is endless. It was a great experience filled with so many moments to cherish.

What would you describe as the turning point in your life and career?

Well that depends on what stage in life we are talking about. Definitely one turning point was winning the MBGN pageant, another point for me was getting into acting and presenting of which both happened unexpectedly. For presenting, I remember I had a regular job and a friend of mine was meeting up with a friend of his next door to my office. This friend of his was supposed to be shooting a segment for a TV programme and the scheduled presenter wasn’t able to make it. So, my friend Dozie asked me if I could help anchor the TV programme and I was like sure. That turned out to be the beginning of me being the host of that TV programme (Africa Awakes) in Nigeria to presenting other shows nationwide. For acting, another friend of mine convinced me to audition for a role on a new soap opera and I did. I got the part and the rest is history.  Over time there have been so many other turning points.

 

Tell us about your clothing line and your target?

I was approached by a company to collaborate with them; it’s something I’m considering, so it’s not something I can expand on till it becomes reality.

What are the challenges?

With a collaboration trusting that your vision comes to life the way you would like is definitely nerve wracking , there is also so many paperwork to go through, you want to make sure to the best of your ability that you are on the right path

How has doing this influenced your personality?

It has given me a lot of clarity on what I actually like fashion wise. Before I’ll just go into a store and buy something once I like it but now I actually would stop look at the piece and ask myself if it ties into my concept of style.

What are the other things that occupy your time?

I am a film buff so you may see me doing stuff around that. I love bike riding and having a leisure time sitting with friends and having a good laugh.

What advice do you have for Nigerian youths?

Enjoy the moment, savor the journey. Cherish the lessons in every road you find your self on. As you get older you’ll see how these lessons become intricate to who you constantly evolve into becoming.

If you had to advise young people who want to come into the creative sector, what will you tell them?

A lot of young people only look at the glitz, glamour and attention they get from coming into the creative sector but it goes beyond that. They need to start understanding this is a “CAREER “ it may start out as a passion of yours but at some point it should transcend into being a Career path you pursue intentionally. I usually ask younger people who approach me and talk about getting into arts. “If there was no glitz, glamour and attention. Would you still love it as much as you say you love it today”?

What are you looking forward to in the next few years?

I am taking each day as it comes; we are pencils in the hand of the creator. I look forward to him using me as he wills.

Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?

My greatest influence in life was my mum. The values she imbibed and instilled. I wouldn’t trade it!

What is your definition of style?

It’s the double S for me Sophisticated and Sexy.

What are the things that you treasure most in your wardrobe?

I have this clutch purse that looks like it’s a magazine, some jewelry and trench coat I cobbled from my mum, I love these pieces, very vintage and sophisticated

What are some of the changes that you would like to see in Nigeria today?

A lot of us want to see changes across every sector in Nigeria. I mean we all hear the groans and complain about how things are around us and we hope it becomes better. The entertainment industry is doing well as a whole. You can see doors as regards to distribution being opened in the movie industry and several other changes across the board. Change is the most constant thing. I hope and pray Nigeria evolves into a country where things work.