Chidimma Adetshina
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina is a Nigeria beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. She represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico and finished as the first runner-up. She was also crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania as the highest ranked African Contestant of 2024. Her placement is Nigeria's highest at any Miss Universe pageant.
Early life
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina was born to an Igbo Nigerian father, and a Mozambican mother. Her father is of Igbo descent while her mother is a Mozambican who is accused of allegedly committing identity fraud in South Africa. Adetshina grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. As of 2024, she is a law student.Pageantry
Miss South Africa 2024
Adetshina entered Miss South Africa 2024, but following an investigation by the Department of Home Affairs into her mother's citizenship, she withdrew from the pageant, citing concerns for her safety and well-being. The investigation later allegedly uncovered preliminary evidence of fraud and identity theft related to her mother's acquisition of South African citizenship in 2001. It was claimed that she was unable to participate in the contest due to the pending case.Controversy
Adetshina's participation in the Miss South Africa pageant faced scrutiny due to questions about her citizenship and eligibility. Concerns were raised regarding her dual citizenship of South Africa and Nigeria, leading the South African Department of Home Affairs to investigate her background. The investigation allegedly revealed preliminary evidence suggesting potential issues with her mother's acquisition of South African citizenship. It was said that the Department of Home Affairs planned to take further action, which may had included potential criminal charges based on the investigation's findings. Adetshina garnered support from the public who saw her as a representation of South Africa's diverse population. A South African far-left political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, publicly defended her, calling for an end to xenophobia in South Africa and advocating for inclusivity. While other parties, namely the African National Congress and the Patriotic Alliance advocated for an investigation into her nationality. The minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, confirmed that the department could investigate the nationality of Adetshina only after her family requested it.The Miss South Africa pageant maintained that Adetshina had fulfilled all the requirements to participate in the competition.
In October 2024, the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa revoked her South African identity papers following an investigation into her mother's origins.