From Bayelsa to the national spotlight, Tamunosoye Karibi-George has emerged as the winner of the Miss World Nigeria 2026 pageant, earning the right to represent Nigeria on the global stage.

Karibi-George, who represented Bayelsa State, outshone 20 other finalists to clinch the coveted crown at the grand finale held in Lagos over the weekend.

The pageant, themed “Pride, Power, and Purpose,” featured contestants from across the country competing in talent showcases, interview sessions, and evening wear presentations.

With her victory, the 26-year-old beauty queen, originally from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World Festival scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, 2026.

Karibi-George succeeds Joy Raimi, Miss World Nigeria 2025, who represented the country at the 72nd Miss World pageant in Hyderabad, India, where she finished among the Top 20 contestants globally and ranked among the Top Five from Africa.

Founder of the Silverbird Group and former Senator representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray-Bruce, celebrated her victory, describing her as “more than a queen.”

Announcing the result on his X account, Murray-Bruce wrote: “We have a Queen! A new chapter begins. Please join us in celebrating Tamunosoye Karibi-George, representing Bayelsa State, as the newly crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026.”

He praised her commitment to social impact through her initiative, Beyond Labels, which advocates inclusion, dignity, and empowerment for children with special needs.

“More than a queen, Tamunosoye is a passionate advocate for change. Through her initiative, Beyond Labels, she champions inclusion, dignity, and empowerment for children with special needs,” he said.

According to him, the initiative is focused on creating safe and supportive environments where every child is encouraged to dream boldly and understand that their circumstances do not determine their future.

He added that Karibi-George’s purpose, intelligence, poise, and passion distinguished her throughout the competition and earned her the honour of wearing the crown.

Miss World Nigeria, organised by the Silverbird Group, remains one of the country’s foremost beauty pageants and serves as the platform for selecting Nigeria’s representative at the prestigious international Miss World competition.