What should have been a celebratory handover ended in silence. Chidimma Adetshina, the South African-born beauty queen who once held the Miss Universe Nigeria title, has bid farewell to her crown without passing it on to a successor.
The news emerged after Chidimma shared a heartfelt video message in which she reflected on her reign and revealed she would not be part of the crowning ceremony for the next queen.
A reign cut short
Chidimma’s journey has been anything but ordinary. After winning the Miss Nigeria crown, she went on to represent Miss Universe Africa and Oceania. However, her relationship with the Miss Universe Nigeria organisers appears to have fractured.
In her farewell message, she hinted that she had prepared a speech for the pageant but would not be able to deliver it. While she avoided going into detail, her absence at such a key event spoke volumes.
Public reaction: pride, shock and criticism
The decision not to crown her successor stirred conversation across Nigeria and South Africa. Some online users expressed disappointment, calling her decision disrespectful to the people of Nigeria who once celebrated her win. Others accused her of distancing herself from the country altogether, with one comment reading, “This is a spit on the face of the people who took her in.”
Not all voices were negative. A handful of supporters praised her beauty and resilience, arguing that external pressures and family issues may have shaped her choices.
Fraudster Chiddima Adetshina won’t crown her successor because revealing her hideout in South Africa will lead to arrest. pic.twitter.com/x6cycAgUsR
— Malumz🇿🇦 (@Malumz360) August 30, 2025
Enjoying Cape Town amid the noise
While debate continues online, Chidimma appears unbothered. Social media posts show her enjoying Cape Town life: sipping cocktails, hitting the gym, and sharing scenic moments. For many critics, this carefree image clashes with the controversy surrounding her exit.
Her name has also surfaced in connection with lingering questions about identity fraud involving her and her mother, which has only fuelled public scrutiny.
A bigger story about pageantry and belonging
The fallout raises bigger questions about the politics of beauty pageants and identity in Africa. Pageants often symbolise national pride, and contestants are seen as ambassadors for their countries. For Chidimma, her ties to both South Africa and Nigeria have become a focal point of debate, with critics questioning where her loyalties truly lie.
Her farewell marks the end of her reign, but the conversation it has sparked about nationality, belonging, and the expectations of pageant winners is likely to continue long after the crown has been passed.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: EWN
