Chidimma Adetshina, the previous Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, was notably absent during the crowning of her successor, Onyinyechi Basil on Saturday, at the Balmoral Event Centre in Lagos.
Reports suggest a fallout with pageant organisers, Silverbird Galleria, may have led to her decision not to attend the event.
Adetshina, who represented Taraba State, made history by finishing as first runner-up at the Miss Universe 2024 competition in Mexico City, marking Nigeria’s highest placement at the global pageant. She also earned the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania. Her absence at the national finale raised questions and sparked discussions among fans and media outlets.
In a statement shared on her Instagram Story, before the event, Adetshina said she was “so heartbroken, I am having so many messy emotions. My heart is so broken because I am not able to crown my successor. It’s been a hard pill to swallow, but it is what it is.” This statement confirmed her absence and hinted at tensions between her and the pageant organisers
Checks on her Instagram page show that Adetshina is no longer following Silverbird Galleria, the organisers of Miss Universe Nigeria, or Ben Bruce, founder of Silverbird Group, hinting at lingering tensions.
Despite the controversy, the pageant proceeded with the crowning of Onyinyechi Basil as Miss Universe Nigeria 2025. Basil, 25, from Anambra State, emerged victorious over 21 other contestants.
Adetshina on Instagram on Sunday shared a video to congratulate Ms. Basil, writing, “Congratulations @yech.i. Make us proud.”
Basil will represent Nigeria at the 74th Miss Universe pageant scheduled for November 20 in Bangkok, Thailand. She said she wants “young girls to know that they can be more, achieve more and still celebrate their cultural identity.”
