Nigeria’s representative at the 73rd Miss World pageant, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, has advanced to the Top 12 after finishing among the two highest-voted contestants in the People’s Choice category.
The result was announced at the Miss World 2026 grand finale in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on Saturday, September 5, with Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, securing her place through the pageant’s new People’s Choice format.
Under the 2026 format, the two highest-voted contestants in the People’s Choice category earned direct places in the Top 12, while the eventual People’s Choice Award winner received direct entry into the Top 6.
Eritrea’s Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin emerged as the People’s Choice Award winner, earning a direct place in the Top 6, while Soye progressed to the Top 12 through her top-two finish.
Soye had earlier secured a place in the Top 40 after winning the Africa Top Model title during the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest XVII.
She also featured among the African finalists in the Head-to-Head Challenge and used her Dance of the World presentation to highlight environmental challenges affecting Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
“I come from Nigeria’s Niger Delta, a land blessed with rivers, forests and oil, yet too often burdened by the consequences of its exploitation,” she explained.
Soye’s advocacy platform, “Beyond Labels,” focuses on inclusion and creating opportunities for children with disabilities and special needs.
The 26-year-old communications professional from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 on June 6 at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, after emerging from 20 finalists.
She represented Bayelsa State at the national pageant and went on to represent Nigeria at the global competition in Vietnam.
Ademide Adebayo
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