The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to throw their full weight behind Miss World Nigeria 2026, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, as the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam enters its critical final stages.
Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, made the appeal in a post on X on Friday. She praised the 26-year-old beauty queen for her outstanding performance and urged citizens to vote before the window closes.
“Dear Soye, seeing you carry Nigeria’s name with such grace, confidence and purpose on the Miss World stage has made us incredibly proud,” Musawa wrote. “Emerging as Africa’s Top Model and securing your place in the Top 40 is a remarkable achievement. But beyond the competition, you have used this platform to showcase Nigeria to the world, speak about issues that truly matter, and inspire so many young people.”
The minister noted that voting would close in nine hours and stressed that every vote counts. “Nigerians continue to stand with you. There are just 9 hours left to vote, and the window is closing fast. Soye needs every vote and every point matters for the stages ahead,” she said.
Musawa further appealed to Nigerians to share the voting link and encourage others to support the national representative. “Please, let’s come together, vote, share and encourage others to do the same. Queen Tamunosoye Karibi George, Nigeria is behind you.”
Karibi-George, a Port Harcourt native who represented Bayelsa State, was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos after competing against 19 other finalists. A communications professional and associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, she is also the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative dedicated to inclusion and empowerment for children with special needs.
Before winning the national title, she was crowned Miss Africa International 2024 in Accra, Ghana. At the ongoing global pageant in Vietnam, she has already distinguished herself by emerging as Africa’s Top Model and securing a place in the Top 40.
The beauty queen has described her participation as more than a quest for the Blue Crown. “This journey is about representing the strength, culture, tenacity, and compassion of our nation, while continuing to champion the Beyond Labels Initiative and the belief that every individual deserves to be seen for their potential,” she said earlier.
Nigerians can cast their votes at: https://missworld.1voting.com/en/candidate/EVENT_dNWcJ/nigeria-1suM
Karibi-George now aims to advance further and improve on Joy Mojisola Raimi’s Top 20 finish at the previous edition of the pageant.
