By Isaac Mission
Miss World Nigeria 2026, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, has arrived in Vietnam to represent Nigeria at the ongoing 73rd Miss World Festival.
The 26-year-old beauty queen from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is among contestants from around the world competing for the prestigious Miss World crown.
Karibi-George emerged as the winner of the Miss World Nigeria 2026 pageant at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos, defeating 19 other finalists to secure the national crown.
Although she is a native of Port Harcourt, Karibi-George represented Bayelsa State during the national competition.
Karibi-George begins Miss World journey in Vietnam
Following her victory in Nigeria, Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, travelled to Vietnam to join other contestants for the various activities, challenges and engagements leading to the grand finale.
Her participation marks another opportunity for Nigeria to make an impact at the international pageant after Joy Mojisola Raimi, the country’s representative at the 72nd Miss World competition in India, advanced to the Top 20.
Ahead of her departure for Vietnam, Karibi-George described her participation as a responsibility that goes beyond competing for a crown.
In a statement shared on Facebook on August 7, she said her mission was to represent Nigeria’s culture, strength, resilience and compassion while promoting her advocacy work.
She also expressed her intention to use the global platform to further promote her Beyond Labels Initiative.
Who is Tamunosoye Karibi-George?
Karibi-George is a trained communications professional with interests in public engagement, advocacy and social development.
She studied at Madonna University, Okija, after attending Obiye High School and Obiye Academy. She is also an associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Beyond her professional background, the beauty queen is particularly passionate about issues affecting children with special needs.
She founded Beyond Labels, an initiative focused on promoting inclusion, dignity and empowerment for children living with special needs.
Through the initiative, she advocates for a society where children are recognised for their abilities and potential rather than being defined by disabilities or circumstances.
Previous international pageant experience
The Miss World Nigeria 2026 winner is not new to international beauty competitions.
Before claiming the Nigerian title, Karibi-George won Miss Africa International 2024 in Accra, Ghana. Her previous experience on the international pageant stage has provided her with additional exposure ahead of her Miss World campaign.
She now hopes to build on that experience as she competes alongside representatives from other countries in Vietnam.
Nigeria’s hopes at Miss World
The Miss World competition involves more than physical appearance, with contestants taking part in activities designed to highlight their communication abilities, intelligence, confidence, purpose and commitment to social causes.
For Karibi-George, the competition also provides an opportunity to spotlight her advocacy for children with special needs and showcase Nigeria’s culture and identity before a global audience.
As the 73rd Miss World Festival progresses, attention will be on how far the Nigerian representative advances in the competition.
While winning the coveted Blue Crown remains the ultimate goal, Karibi-George has made it clear that her journey is also about representing Nigeria, promoting inclusion and using the global platform to create greater awareness around her social-impact work.
