Miss NANS Nigeria, a beauty pageant aimed at promoting peaceful and violence-free higher institutions across Nigeria, is set to debut, according to its organisers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in collaboration with Messengers of Peace (MOP), an international peace agency.
The organisers revealed at a news conference in Abuja that the pageant was themed, “Sustaining Long-Lasting Peace through the Promotion of Decent/Violence-Free Learning Institutions.”
They announced that the grand finale would be held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after nationwide auditions to select participants from various zones across the country.
Samson Adeyemi, NANS National Public Relations Officer, said the initiative was designed to highlight the leadership, intellect, and peace-building potential of Nigerian students across higher institutions.
He noted that the theme reflected the urgent need to address campus violence, cultism, drug abuse, harassment, and other vices threatening peace and academic progress in Nigerian schools.
“Education thrives in a peaceful environment.
“Through Miss NANS Nigeria, we aim to groom student leaders and peace ambassadors who will drive campaigns for safer and more decent campuses,” he said.
Adeyemi called on the government, school authorities, civil society, and the public to support the initiative, stressing the need for collective efforts to build peaceful and productive learning spaces.
Auditions will be held in three zones: Lagos for South-West states, Akwa Ibom for South-South and South-East, and the FCT for all northern states, according to the organisers.
He said 100 students will be selected per zone for a final audition, after which 100 contestants will be invited to camp ahead of the final selection process in Abuja.
“From the camping stage, 60 finalists will emerge and compete at the grand finale.
“Judges will select seven winners, one from each geopolitical zone and one overall Miss NANS Nigeria.
“Prizes include N1 million and a laptop for each of the six runners-up, while the crowned Miss NANS 2025/2026 will receive N1 million and a brand-new car,” the organisers announced.
Dr Suleiman Adejoh, National President of MOP, urged corporate bodies, government, and individuals to support the initiative aimed at uniting students and fostering peace in Nigerian institutions.
He said the pageant promoted the “Beauty and Brain” concept and encouraged student participation in national peace-building efforts through creativity, leadership, and cultural awareness.
One key innovation, he added, would be the use of local dialects during screening to help preserve indigenous languages and ensure the pageant resonated with Nigerians from all backgrounds.
Adejoh emphasised that the approach would encourage contestants to connect with their roots, learn their languages, and promote cultural pride alongside academic excellence and peace advocacy.