Citizenship Controversy Leads to Miss Universe Nigeria Invite for Chidimma Adetshina

Former Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina has been invited to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant following her withdrawal from the Miss SA contest due to a controversy over her citizenship status. The 23-year-old, who was born in South Africa to a Mozambican mother and a Nigerian father, faced public scrutiny after allegations surfaced that her mother may have committed identity fraud to acquire South African citizenship in 2001.

The South African Department of Home Affairs subsequently began an investigation into Adetshina’s citizenship. Amid the furor, and to avoid further victimization, Adetshina stepped down from the Miss SA competition. Shortly afterward, she received an invitation from the Miss Universe Nigeria organization, which acknowledged the difficulties she had encountered and extended an opportunity for her to represent her father's heritage.

Guy Murray-Bruce, the national director of the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, publicly reached out to Adetshina, expressing belief in her capabilities and inviting her to participate in the 2024 competition. The gesture was met with mixed reactions, including concerns about justice for other contestants who had not been similarly approached and doubts regarding Adetshina’s eligibility to represent Nigeria.

Adding to the ripple effects of the situation, the Puebla International Literature Festival in Mexico retracted South Africa's spotlight as the 'Country-in-Focus' at the event, citing the repercussions of the Miss SA scandal. Festival director Ikenna Okeh condemned what he described as "mob rule" and the treatment of not only Adetshina and her family but also the wider immigrant community in South Africa.

The festival decided to stand by its principles that celebrate diverse voices and human dignity, feeling that continuing with South Africa as a featured country would contradict the values the festival upholds. The decision demonstrates the festival’s commitment to ethical responsibility even when recognizing a country's cultural contributions.