Nigeria’s Tamunosoye Karibi-George finished among the Top 12 contestants at Miss World 2026 during the grand finale in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on September 5. The 26-year-old was one of 111 contestants who competed in this year’s pageant, which featured several weeks of competitions and activities before the final night.

Karibi-George was not selected among the judges’ initial Top 20, but the live public voting format gave her another route into the competition. Under the pageant’s format, the top two public-voted contestants earned a spot in the Top 12, allowing Karibi-George to advance.

Photo: Instagram/@soye_kg

Meanwhile, Eritrea’s Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin won the overall People’s Choice Award, which fast-tracked her directly into the Top 6.

Before the grand finale, Karibi-George won the Miss World Africa Top Model title at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest XVII, earning an automatic spot in the next stage after competing against other representatives from Africa.

Outside the main competition, Karibi-George used the Miss World platform to highlight causes she has worked on in Nigeria. Her advocacy project, Beyond Labels, focuses on inclusion and creating opportunities for children with disabilities and special needs.

Photo: Instagram/@soye_kg

She also participated in the Dance of the World presentation, representing Nigeria and drawing attention to environmental concerns connected to the Niger Delta.

Karibi-George earned the opportunity to represent Nigeria internationally after she was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 on June 6 at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. She emerged as the winner from 20 finalists and represented Bayelsa State at the national pageant before travelling to Vietnam for the Miss World competition.

The Miss World 2026 title was won by Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic. Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés finished as first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty was named second runner-up.

Tamunosoye Karibi-George has given Nigeria another big win at Miss World 2026. The Miss World Nigeria 2026 winner has been named Africa’s Top Model, securing her place in the Top 40 of the global competition taking place in Vietnam.

Karibi-George earned the title during the Top Model competition held as part of Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest XVII, themed “Soul of Heritage.” She came out on top as the African winner, finishing ahead of contestants from Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, Kenya and South Africa. Her win means she does not have to wait for the other challenges to determine her place in the quarter-finals. She is already in.

Photo: Instagram/@Tamunosoye George

The Miss World Organisation announced four continental Top Model winners, with Nigeria representing Africa. The other winners came from the Dominican Republic for the Americas and Caribbean, France for Europe, and Vietnam for Asia and Oceania. Each continental winner earned an automatic place in the Top 40, which has 10 contestants from each region.

There is still more at stake for Karibi-George. The four continental winners will continue in the race for the overall Top Model title, and the eventual winner will receive a direct place in the Top 20. That gives Nigeria’s representative another opportunity to move further ahead before the competition reaches its final stages.

For Karibi-George, this latest achievement adds to a pageant journey that had already taken her beyond Nigeria. The 26-year-old, who is from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 after representing Bayelsa State at the national competition. She emerged from a field of 20 finalists and took over the crown from Joy Raimi.

Photo: Miss World

Her story also extends beyond pageantry. Karibi-George is a communications professional and the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative focused on inclusion and opportunities for children with special needs. She has carried that advocacy into her Miss World journey, giving the Nigerian queen something more to represent than a title and a sash.

She had also shown promise earlier in Vietnam, reaching the African finals of the Head-to-Head Challenge before taking the Africa Top Model title.

Now, with a Top 40 spot already secured, Karibi-George has a bigger challenge ahead: pushing her way closer to the Miss World crown. For Nigeria, the wait continues, but the country already has plenty to celebrate.

Twenty-five African women are among the contestants at the 73rd Miss World, currently underway in Vietnam and building toward the grand final in Nha Trang on September 5, 2026. Since the festival opened on August 9, the delegates have gone through the Sash Ceremony in Haiphong, the Top Model challenge at Dragon Beach Square, a Sports Challenge and other early rounds as they compete for one of the 40 spots in the main tournament. The group includes students, entrepreneurs, medical professionals and advocates, each representing a different corner of the continent.

Botswana — Ruth Thomas

Photo: Missosology King

Ruth, 24, works as a Beauty Advisor in Masunga. Her focus is helping young people build self-confidence and self-expression.

Cameroon — Raissa Noura Njikam

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Raissa, 26, was born and raised in Yaoundé. She founded and leads the NOUNJI Foundation, which supports women and young people affected by violence.

Côte d’ivoiee — Fatima Koné

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Fatima, 23, is from Bouaké. She balances school and modelling with youth advocacy, and is currently developing a business incubator to mentor early-stage entrepreneurs.

Equatorial Guinea — María de los Ángeles Ndong

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María, 25, is from Malabo. Her advocacy centres on expanding access to education and building sustainable community outreach programmes.

Eritrea — Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin

Photo: Missosology King

Snit, 26, is a Montessori educator, parent mentor and founder of Designing for Diversity, a nonprofit focused on creating inclusive learning opportunities for children of all abilities. She has a background in neuroscience and also creates Montessori learning resources and manages nonprofit programmes.

Ethiopia — Ruth Yirgalem Weldesilassie

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Ruth is a Culture Ambassador of Ethiopia, marketer, coffee Q grader, makeup artist and founder of Crown of TAYTU. She holds a degree in Marketing Management and is passionate about celebrating Ethiopian culture while empowering women and young people through education, entrepreneurship and service.

Ghana — Rumzia Sule

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Rumzia, 22, is a flight attendant, communications professional and MBA student. With a background in public relations and diplomatic administration, she uses her Project Inspire Ghana initiative to mentor young people and encourage entrepreneurship.

Guinea — Saran Keita

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Saran, 26, is a cultural and event entrepreneur with a degree in International Relations. She is dedicated to promoting Guinean culture and creating opportunities for her community, while also pursuing humanitarian work and hoping to advocate for women in the future.

Guinea-Bissau — Hernânia Nantote

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Hernânia, 26, brings Guinea-Bissau back to the Miss World stage after an absence. Her work centres on youth literacy and community development.

Kenya — Trizah Muhenje Akala

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Trizah studied Tourism Management and works in travel marketing and event management, using the platform to promote East African hospitality, eco-tourism and cultural heritage.

Malawi — Ireen Navicha

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Ireen is a student, model and community advocate. Her advocacy focuses on youth empowerment, particularly expanding access to secondary education and leadership training.

Morocco — Chirihan Chergui

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Chirihan is a technology entrepreneur with a Master’s degree in Software Engineering. She is passionate about innovation, culture and social impact, and hopes to use technology and entrepreneurship to create opportunities for young people, especially girls.

Mozambique — Arcénia Quehá

Photo: Instagram/@Arcéniaquehá

Arcénia works with regional initiatives focused on sustainable local development, youth engagement and environmental awareness.

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Elly is studying Software Development, with plans to continue into honours and a master’s degree in Data Analytics. She dreams of becoming a remote software engineer and creating technology solutions that have a positive impact.

Nigeria — Tamunosoye “Soye” Karibi-George

Photo: Missosology King

Soye, 26, is from Port Harcourt and works as a communications strategist, voice-over artist and model. She’s an associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and leads the Beyond Labels initiative, which pushes for inclusion and better resources for neurodivergent children and children with special needs.

Senegal — Fatoumata Diop

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Fatoumata works as a marketing strategist, writer and storyteller. Her advocacy centres on mental health, pushing for accessible support systems for young people across West Africa.

Sierra Leone — Maryam Lorba Konneh

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Maryam’s platform focuses on expanding vocational training and skill-acquisition programmes for young women.

Somalia — Foziya Abdullahi Garad

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Foziya is an aspiring pilot and university student. She hopes to inspire young women across the Horn of Africa to consider careers outside the traditional path.

South Africa — Romanda Hombir

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Romanda, 27, is a professional audiologist who speaks English, Siswati, IsiZulu, Afrikaans and South African Sign Language. Through her Caring Purpose Foundation, she works to expand healthcare access and resources for people with hearing loss.

South Sudan — Nyandeng Kerubino Kuanyin Bol

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Nyandeng holds a degree in International Relations and Communication Studies and works in medical sales. Her advocacy is built around health communication and social policy reform.

Tanzania — Latricia Ian Sawe

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Latricia is studying Banking and Finance while working in brand representation. Her social impact project focuses on autism awareness and building supportive learning environments for children with special needs.

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Trivia has a background in aviation and runs her own cosmetics brand. She uses her business network to support vulnerable children and campaign against gender-based violence.

Zambia — Dr Adah Mushibi

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Dr Adah is a medical doctor volunteering at the University Teaching Hospital, and also works as a Chinese-language interpreter. She hopes to become a surgeon and advocates for disability-inclusive healthcare.

Zimbabwe — Brunette Makanyiso

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Brunette’s platform is centred on grassroots community development, with an emphasis on youth employment and vocational skills training.

Mauritius — Shreeya Bokhoree

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Shreeya is a Project Lead and Marketing Executive at the Chartreuse Group of Companies. She holds a First Class Honours degree in Advertising, PR, and Branding and works in promoting innovation in the agricultural sector. She hopes to help revolutionise the Mauritian tea industry by showcasing its heritage and quality.