By Prosper Mene
Tamunosoye Karibi-George has arrived in Vietnam as Nigeria’s representative at the ongoing 73rd Miss World Festival.
The 26-year-old model and advocate from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will compete against delegates from around the world for the coveted Miss World crown.
From Lagos to the World Stage
Karibi-George, popularly known as “Soye”, was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. She emerged winner ahead of 19 other finalists after representing Bayelsa State at the national competition.
She succeeds Joy Mojisola Raimi, who represented Nigeria at the 72nd Miss World pageant in India and finished in the Top 20.
Ahead of her departure, Soye described the pageant as more than a beauty contest. In an August 7 Facebook post, she wrote:
“With purpose in my heart, I depart Nigeria to represent our great nation at the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam. This journey is about more than competing for the Blue Crown. It is about representing the strength, culture, tenacity, and compassion of our nation.”
“Vietnam is calling, and Nigeria is coming,” she added.
Beauty With a Mission
Beyond pageantry, Karibi-George is a trained communications professional and associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. She studied at Madonna University, Okija, after attending Obiye High School and Obiye Academy.
She has built her public profile around advocacy for children with special needs. As founder of Beyond Labels, she champions inclusion, dignity, and empowerment for children living with disabilities.
“Through the initiative, I advocate for a society where children are not defined by their disabilities or circumstances but are given the opportunity to discover their abilities, develop their talents and pursue their ambitions,” she said.
The Miss World competition emphasizes “Beauty With Purpose,” making her advocacy central to Nigeria’s campaign.
Pageant Experience
This is not Soye’s first time on the international stage. She previously won Miss Africa International 2024 in Accra, Ghana, an experience she says prepared her for the global Miss World platform.
Now in Vietnam, she will take part in various challenges, talent segments, and advocacy presentations leading up to the grand finale. Contestants are judged not just on appearance, but on intelligence, confidence, communication, and commitment to social impact.
Nigeria will be hoping she can improve on Raimi’s Top 20 finish at the last edition.
For Karibi-George, the mission is clear: showcase Nigerian culture, amplify the voices of children with special needs, and prove that beauty, purpose, and impact can thrive together.
“This is about telling Nigeria’s story,” she said.
