- Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Universe Nigeria, faces potential loss of South African citizenship due to an investigation into her nationality
- The inquiry stems from allegations of identity theft related to her mother’s acquisition of South African nationality, intensifying public backlash
- Despite the controversy, Adetshina expresses pride in her dual Nigerian and South African identity as she prepares to compete in the Miss Universe pageant
Chidimma Adetshina, the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria and prominent beauty queen, is facing the potential loss of her South African citizenship and travel documents as a nationality controversy escalates.
The Department of Home Affairs has initiated an investigation into her citizenship status following her participation as a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant.
Adetshina’s eligibility came under scrutiny due to her mixed heritage she is of Mozambican and Nigerian descent.
The situation intensified amid allegations that her mother may have committed “identity theft” to acquire South African nationality, prompting Adetshina’s withdrawal from the Miss South Africa competition in August.
Following her exit, the law student accepted an invitation to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria, a move that attracted a wave of xenophobic backlash online. In an interview with the BBC, Adetshina revealed that she would “need therapy to recover” from the harsh criticism directed at her.
As of Tuesday, October 29, the Department of Home Affairs informed a parliamentary committee that both Adetshina and her mother would lose their citizenship documents for failing to meet a deadline to substantiate their claims.
Tommy Makhode, a senior official in the department, announced that their case has been referred to the Hawks, a police unit specializing in serious crimes, which has determined it to be a “case of fraud.” The next steps will hinge on the decisions made by prosecutors.
Despite the mounting pressure and controversy, Adetshina has expressed pride in her dual identity. “I feel proudly South African and proudly Nigerian,” she stated in her BBC interview.
Born in Soweto, Adetshina has recently traveled to Mexico, where she is set to represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe competition on November 16, competing against international contestants, including Mia le Roux, the reigning Miss South Africa.
The ongoing controversy highlights broader societal issues related to identity, nationality, and xenophobia in South Africa, underscoring the complexities faced by individuals navigating multiple cultural identities.
Japa: We have approved 430,000 UK visas for Nigerians in 2024, British High Commissioner shares
Earlier, TheRadar reported that the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, revealed that approximately 430,000 Nigerian visa applications were approved in 2024 alone. The information was contained in a press release issued by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and signed by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Gabriel Odu, on Wednesday, August 7.
However, he assured the Chairman and CEO of NIDCOM, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, of the safety of Nigerians in the United Kingdom amid riots.
