₦airaland Forum

KEY CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY

Despite its growth, the system has real problems:

1. Sponsorship Instability
Many platforms lack long-term funding.
2. Title Saturation
Too many similar names → public confusion.
3. No National Registry
No central database tracking pageants in Nigeria.
4. Weak Documentation
Many platforms exist but lack visibility or records.
5. Inconsistent Training Standards
Not all contestants receive proper grooming.
6. Fragmented Media Coverage
Heavy reliance on social media instead of structured media systems.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEXT

For the industry to grow sustainably:

▪︎ Create a national crown registry
▪︎ Improve training pipelines
▪︎ Strengthen corporate partnerships
▪︎ Encourage regional platforms
▪︎ Build industry associations
▪︎ Recognize pageantry within Nigeria’s creative economy

THE FUTURE

The next phase of Nigerian pageantry will be:

▪︎ Digital-first
▪︎ Advocacy-driven
▪︎ Regionally expanded
▪︎ nstitutionally structured

Strategic Question for the Industry


Is the Nigerian pageant industry declining…
or
evolving into a decentralized, participation-driven ecosystem?


AUTHOR
Prince Ideal Atuluku Esq.
Creative Industry Strategist
Founder, IMC Nigeria
If you made it this far, I’d like to hear your thoughts.
👇👇👇
Is pageantry in Nigeria dying… or transforming?

Ideal001:
ABUJA: THE NEW PAGEANT CAPITAL?

Over the last decade, Abuja has quietly become one of the most active centers for pageantry in Nigeria.

WHY ABUJA?
Several factors:

▪︎ Central location
▪︎ Government proximity
▪︎ Event infrastructure
▪︎ Growing creative economy

MAJOR PLATFORMS OPERATING FROM ABUJA

▪︎ Most Beautiful Girl in Abuja
▪︎ Face of Democracy Nigeria
▪︎ Face of Culture Nigeria
▪︎ Queen of Aso Nigeria
▪︎ Face of Nigerian Models
▪︎ Face of IMC Nigeria

Abuja is no longer just a political capital.
It is now a coordination hub for emerging pageant systems.


THE RISE OF ADVOCACY CROWNS

One of the biggest shifts (2021–2026):
Pageantry is moving from:

❌ Beauty-focused
➡️ To
✅ Impact-focused

Contestants now represent:
》Climate action
》Education
》Health awareness
》Peace initiatives
》Cultural diplomacy

This is a major structural transformation.

THE MODELING INDUSTRY CONNECTION

Modeling agencies now run pageants as:

▪︎ Talent pipelines
▪︎ Training systems
▪︎ Recruitment tools

This means:
Pageantry is now directly linked to the fashion and media industry

ECONOMIC IMPACT (UNDERRATED)

The pageant ecosystem supports:

▪︎ Designers
▪︎ Makeup artists
▪︎ Photographers
▪︎ Stylists
▪︎ Event planners
▪︎ Media professionals

It’s not just entertainment.
It’s a micro creative economy.

In the final part, I’ll break down:
The biggest challenges
What needs to change
The future of Nigerian pageantry
👇👇👇

ABUJA: THE NEW PAGEANT CAPITAL?

Over the last decade, Abuja has quietly become one of the most active centers for pageantry in Nigeria.

WHY ABUJA?
Several factors:

▪︎ Central location
▪︎ Government proximity
▪︎ Event infrastructure
▪︎ Growing creative economy

MAJOR PLATFORMS OPERATING FROM ABUJA

▪︎ Most Beautiful Girl in Abuja
▪︎ Face of Democracy Nigeria
▪︎ Face of Culture Nigeria
▪︎ Queen of Aso Nigeria
▪︎ Face of Nigerian Models
▪︎ Face of IMC Nigeria

Abuja is no longer just a political capital.
It is now a coordination hub for emerging pageant systems.


THE RISE OF ADVOCACY CROWNS

One of the biggest shifts (2021–2026):
Pageantry is moving from:

❌ Beauty-focused
➡️ To
✅ Impact-focused

Contestants now represent:
》Climate action
》Education
》Health awareness
》Peace initiatives
》Cultural diplomacy

This is a major structural transformation.

THE MODELING INDUSTRY CONNECTION

Modeling agencies now run pageants as:

▪︎ Talent pipelines
▪︎ Training systems
▪︎ Recruitment tools

This means:
Pageantry is now directly linked to the fashion and media industry

ECONOMIC IMPACT (UNDERRATED)

The pageant ecosystem supports:

▪︎ Designers
▪︎ Makeup artists
▪︎ Photographers
▪︎ Stylists
▪︎ Event planners
▪︎ Media professionals

It’s not just entertainment.
It’s a micro creative economy.

In the final part, I’ll break down:
The biggest challenges
What needs to change
The future of Nigerian pageantry
👇👇👇

Ideal001:
THE 6 SECTORS OF NIGERIAN PAGEANTRY (2021–2026)

The industry has evolved into six major operational sectors:

1. INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE SELECTORS

These select Nigeria’s representatives for global competitions.

Examples include:

▪︎ Miss Nigeria
▪︎ Miss World Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Universe Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Grand Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Tourism Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Charm Nigeria

These platforms maintain global visibility and cultural diplomacy relevance.


2. LEGACY NATIONAL PLATFORMS

These are the historically prestigious competitions Nigerians grew up knowing.

Examples:

▪︎ Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN)
▪︎ Miss Ideal Nigeria
▪︎ Queen of Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Polo Nigeria

Even with sponsorship challenges, their brand influence remains strong.

3. MODELING PIPELINE PAGEANTS (FASTEST GROWING)

This is currently the most active segment.
These platforms focus on:

》Talent discovery
》Grooming
》Media exposure
》Fashion industry entry

Examples:

▪︎ Face of IMC Nigeria
▪︎ Face of Nigerian Models
▪︎ Queen of Models Nigeria
▪︎ Most Beautiful Model in Nigeria (MBMN)
▪︎ Face of Entertainment Nigeria

These are less about “beauty contests” and more about career pipelines.

4. ADVOCACY-DRIVEN PAGEANTS

This segment exploded after COVID.
They focus on:

》SDGs
》Climate action
》Peace building
》Education
》Public health

Examples:

▪︎ Face of Democracy Nigeria
▪︎ Miss SDGs Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Climate Change Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Peace Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Humanitarian Nigeria

Pageantry is now becoming civic engagement.

5. REGIONAL IDENTITY PLATFORMS

These reflect Nigeria’s cultural diversity.

Examples:

▪︎ Face of Arewa
▪︎,Miss Arewa Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Igbo Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Yoruba Nigeria
▪︎ Queen of Middle Belt Nigeria
▪︎ Face of Niger Delta

These often have stronger grassroots participation than national platforms.

6. METRO & CITY PAGEANTS

These are some of the most consistent platforms.

Examples:

▪︎,Most Beautiful Girl in Abuja
▪︎ Face of Abuja
▪︎ Queen of Aso Nigeria
▪︎ Miss FCT Abuja

These serve as talent feeders into national competitions.

Strategic Insight


The industry didn’t shrink.
It became:

▪︎ More accessible
▪︎ More localized
▪︎ More diversified

In the next part, I’ll show you why Abuja has become one of the biggest pageant hubs in Nigeria.
👇👇👇

THE 6 SECTORS OF NIGERIAN PAGEANTRY (2021–2026)

The industry has evolved into six major operational sectors:

1. INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE SELECTORS

These select Nigeria’s representatives for global competitions.

Examples include:

▪︎ Miss Nigeria
▪︎ Miss World Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Universe Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Grand Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Tourism Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Charm Nigeria

These platforms maintain global visibility and cultural diplomacy relevance.


2. LEGACY NATIONAL PLATFORMS

These are the historically prestigious competitions Nigerians grew up knowing.

Examples:

▪︎ Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN)
▪︎ Miss Ideal Nigeria
▪︎ Queen of Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Polo Nigeria

Even with sponsorship challenges, their brand influence remains strong.

3. MODELING PIPELINE PAGEANTS (FASTEST GROWING)

This is currently the most active segment.
These platforms focus on:

》Talent discovery
》Grooming
》Media exposure
》Fashion industry entry

Examples:

▪︎ Face of IMC Nigeria
▪︎ Face of Nigerian Models
▪︎ Queen of Models Nigeria
▪︎ Most Beautiful Model in Nigeria (MBMN)
▪︎ Face of Entertainment Nigeria

These are less about “beauty contests” and more about career pipelines.

4. ADVOCACY-DRIVEN PAGEANTS

This segment exploded after COVID.
They focus on:

》SDGs
》Climate action
》Peace building
》Education
》Public health

Examples:

▪︎ Face of Democracy Nigeria
▪︎ Miss SDGs Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Climate Change Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Peace Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Humanitarian Nigeria

Pageantry is now becoming civic engagement.

5. REGIONAL IDENTITY PLATFORMS

These reflect Nigeria’s cultural diversity.

Examples:

▪︎ Face of Arewa
▪︎,Miss Arewa Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Igbo Nigeria
▪︎ Miss Yoruba Nigeria
▪︎ Queen of Middle Belt Nigeria
▪︎ Face of Niger Delta

These often have stronger grassroots participation than national platforms.

6. METRO & CITY PAGEANTS

These are some of the most consistent platforms.

Examples:

▪︎,Most Beautiful Girl in Abuja
▪︎ Face of Abuja
▪︎ Queen of Aso Nigeria
▪︎ Miss FCT Abuja

These serve as talent feeders into national competitions.

7. CAMPUS & YOUTH-SERVICE PAGEANT PIPELINES (UNDERRATED SECTOR)

One of the most influential but least documented segments of Nigerian pageantry is the campus and youth-service pipeline system.

Across universities and tertiary institutions, competitions such as:

▪︎ Most Beautiful Campus Queen Nigeria
▪︎ Face of Campus Nigeria
▪︎ Queen of Nigerian Universities

…serve as early-stage entry points for contestants nationwide.

These platforms shape:

》 Confidence development
》Public speaking skills
》 Early modeling exposure
》 Leadership participation

Beyond campuses, youth-service-based pageantry has also emerged as a unique extension of this pipeline.

A notable example is Miss NYSC Nigeria, which operates within the National Youth Service framework.

Unlike traditional campus competitions, it reflects:

▪︎ A rotational participation system across states
▪︎ A broader national identity structure
▪︎ Engagement with graduates in their transition phase

This positions NYSC-based pageantry as a bridge between:

》Campus-level participation and
》National-level representation

Strategic Insight


The industry didn’t shrink.
It became:

▪︎ More accessible
▪︎ More localized
▪︎ More diversified

In the next part, I’ll show you why Abuja has become one of the biggest pageant hubs in Nigeria.
👇👇👇

Ideal001:
For years, many Nigerians have believed that the pageant industry is declining.
Reduced TV shows. Fewer big sponsors. Irregular editions of major competitions.
But after a structured 5-year review (2021–2026), the reality looks very different.
Nigeria may actually have one of the largest and most active pageant ecosystems in Africa , just not in the way people expect.
This thread breaks it down.

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
What appears to be “decline” is actually:
▪︎ Expansion
▪︎ Diversification
▪︎ Decentralization
▪︎ Digital migration

Instead of one centralized industry, Nigeria now operates a multi-sector crown ecosystem.

THE BIG REVEAL
Between 2021 and 2026, Nigeria has an estimated:

● 220 – 450 structurally active pageant platforms

Yes… you read that correctly.

This includes:

▪︎ International franchise selectors
▪︎ National legacy platforms
▪︎ Modeling pipeline competitions
▪︎ Advocacy-based crowns
▪︎ Regional identity pageants
▪︎ Metro & state competitions

WHY PEOPLE THINK THE INDUSTRY IS DYING
Three major reasons:

1. Reduced television broadcasting
2. Decline in multinational sponsorship
3. Irregular scheduling of legacy pageants

But here’s the key point:

Visibility decline is NOT structural decline

The industry didn’t disappear.
It shifted.

THE DIGITAL SHIFT

Modern Nigerian pageantry has moved to:

▪︎ Instagram
▪︎ WhatsApp networks
▪︎ Livestream finals
▪︎ Online voting systems
▪︎ Community-based sponsorship

This reduced mainstream visibility, but increased participation nationwide.

A NEW INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

Nigeria no longer has one “pageant industry.”

Instead, it now has multiple overlapping sectors.

In the next part, I’ll break down the 6 major sectors currently shaping Nigerian pageantry.
👇👇👇

For years, many Nigerians have believed that the pageant industry is declining.
Reduced TV shows. Fewer big sponsors. Irregular editions of major competitions.
But after a structured 5-year review (2021–2026), the reality looks very different.
Nigeria may actually have one of the largest and most active pageant ecosystems in Africa , just not in the way people expect.
This thread breaks it down.

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
What appears to be “decline” is actually:
▪︎ Expansion
▪︎ Diversification
▪︎ Decentralization
▪︎ Digital migration

Instead of one centralized industry, Nigeria now operates a multi-sector crown ecosystem.

THE BIG REVEAL
Between 2021 and 2026, Nigeria has an estimated:

● 220 – 450 structurally active pageant platforms

Yes… you read that correctly.

This includes:

▪︎ International franchise selectors
▪︎ National legacy platforms
▪︎ Modeling pipeline competitions
▪︎ Advocacy-based crowns
▪︎ Regional identity pageants
▪︎ Metro & state competitions

WHY PEOPLE THINK THE INDUSTRY IS DYING
Three major reasons:

1. Reduced television broadcasting
2. Decline in multinational sponsorship
3. Irregular scheduling of legacy pageants

But here’s the key point:

Visibility decline is NOT structural decline

The industry didn’t disappear.
It shifted.

THE DIGITAL SHIFT

Modern Nigerian pageantry has moved to:

▪︎ Instagram
▪︎ WhatsApp networks
▪︎ Livestream finals
▪︎ Online voting systems
▪︎ Community-based sponsorship

This reduced mainstream visibility, but increased participation nationwide.

A NEW INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

Nigeria no longer has one “pageant industry.”

Instead, it now has multiple overlapping sectors.

In the next part, I’ll break down the 6 major sectors currently shaping Nigerian pageantry.
👇👇👇

helinues:
Kanu was given the opportunity to defend himself, but instead he sacked his lawyers claiming he can represent himself. When he was asked to express himself, he was shouting and attacking others instead of denying the allegations against him

He repeated the arrogant behavior again today in court that the judge had no choice than to send him out of the court.

Someone with such short temper, egocentric shouldn't lead a cause

I understand your concerns, and you’ve raised points many people also feel strongly about. However, from a legal standpoint, it’s important to separate behavioural issues from procedural rights.

Yes, Kanu dismissed his lawyers and chose to represent himself , that was his lawful right under Nigerian law.
Yes, he may have acted disruptively in court , but even difficult defendants are still entitled to fair trial guarantees, including:

1. the right to present a defence, whether personally or through counsel,

2. the right to address the court before judgment, and

3. the right to have all objections, especially jurisdictional ones, properly evaluated.

Courts routinely deal with defendants who are emotional, rude, stubborn, or even hostile. The duty of the court is to maintain order without compromising the defendant’s constitutional rights.

A person’s temperament , whether calm or volatile, humble or egocentric , is not the legal standard for determining guilt.
Guilt must be based on evidence and law, not on personality traits.

Leadership qualities or moral character may be debated socially or politically, but inside a courtroom the only questions are:

Was the defendant tried under a valid law?
Was he given full opportunity to defend himself?
Were procedural safeguards strictly followed?

A fair system must remain fair even for those who behave poorly; otherwise, the integrity of the justice process is lost.

mohims:
You should be ashamed of yourself if you still believe this Nnamdi Kanu deserves any thing good after all his heinous crimes against humanity. Capital punishment is what he deserves

With respect, the issue here is not whether one “likes” Nnamdi Kanu or believes he deserves something good. The question is whether the process that produced the judgment meets the minimum standards of fair hearing, due process, and procedural justice as required by the Nigerian Constitution.

Even the most unpopular defendant, or one accused of the most serious offences, is still entitled to:

1. a fair opportunity to defend himself,
2. full access to the court, and
3. the right to be heard before judgment is delivered.


That principle is older than our legal system itself. It is the same protection that ensures every citizen, including you and me, cannot be condemned without proper hearing.

Whether one believes Kanu is guilty or not is a matter for the court. But fair trial rights are not rewards for good behaviour , they are constitutional guarantees. Once we begin to justify shortcuts in the name of punishment, the integrity of the entire justice system becomes compromised.

A lawful conviction must be built on proper procedure, not on emotions or public sentiment.

TL;DR:
• Kanu’s defence was foreclosed.
• He wasn’t allowed to give an oral final address.
• Court ruled on all issues today and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

NairaLand, make una gather! This Kanu matter no be small thing again , the court just cut off his defence and handed him life imprisonment. Something smells fishy, and we need to ask: is this justice, or a power play?

What Actually Went Down

1. Court Forecloses His Defence

Justice James Omotosho said Kanu failed to “open his defence” within the six days allotted, so he’s now foreclosed. According to the judge, Kanu has waived his right to offer more defence.

The court decided to push his two major motions (especially on jurisdiction) to the final judgment, not before.

2. Written Final Address Only

Kanu was given 7 days to file a final written address after he declined to present himself orally. He insists there’s no valid legal basis for the prosecution: “there is no case against me … no extant law … I cannot be tried under a repealed law,” he said.

He even filed a motion asking the court to restrain itself from delivering judgment, claiming the law under which he’s charged doesn’t exist.

3. Final Blow: Life Sentence

Today , Nov 20, the court convicted Kanu on all seven counts (terrorism, incitement, etc.) and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The judge pointed to his broadcasts (Radio Biafra), his sit-at-home orders, and other acts as constituting terrorism.

The court said he violated freedom of movement for people in the Southeast with his sit-at-home directives.

4. Fair Hearing? Court Disagrees

The judge claims Kanu was not denied fair hearing.
But Kanu and his supporters will argue: “How can you say fair hearing when I challenged the very basis of the law and you forced me to defend under a system I don’t even recognize?”

⚖️ Why This Is a Big Deal

Rule of Law vs. Power Play: If Kanu is right that the law under which he’s charged is not valid, then the entire conviction is on shaky ground. But the court rushed to judgment.

Self-Representation Penalty: He fired his lawyers, chose to represent himself. Now, the court treats him as if he’s incompetent , limiting his rights because “he’s not a lawyer.”

Political Overtones: IPOB, Biafra agitation , this isn’t just a criminal case. It’s deeply political. Many will see this as repressing a separatist voice.

Precedent: What signals does this send? If a high-profile, self-represented defendant can be cut off like this, who’s next?

My Opinion

I smell injustice. Not because I defend Kanu’s politics, but because everybody deserves to be heard, especially on the foundation of their prosecution. In a democracy, you can’t just convict someone for life when they’re saying, “Where’s the law against me?” , and then ignore that question until after judgment.

This trial feels less like a search for truth, and more like a closed room where the verdict was pre-decided. If our courts are going to do this, then what’s the point of “fair hearing” anymore?

What do you think: Did Kanu get a fair trial or not?


Written by : Prince Ideal Atuluku Esq

You’ve raised a valid point , and yes, the modeling and entertainment industries can be unpredictable and competitive. But while they may appear short-term, the sustainability of any career really depends on how strategically one approaches it.

What most people miss is that modeling, like acting or sports, can evolve into other long-term opportunities , brand influencing, fashion entrepreneurship, talent management, creative direction, or even media consulting. The key is building structure, branding, and diversification early enough.

The core of this discussion, however, isn’t just about how long a modeling career lasts , it’s about how family mindsets and social conditioning limit young Nigerians from even trying in the first place. Many aspiring talents never get to find out their potential because they’re stopped at the door by fear, cultural bias, or misunderstanding.

In essence, while not everyone will be a supermodel, we should at least allow young people to try, learn, and grow from their passions , that’s how industries evolve.

kpankpangolo:
Modeling, acting, music, sports, the army and working in industrial environments are short term jobs. There are a hundred plus humans vying for one role so humans already in the industry are disposable. Youth also factors in them being that the younger you are, the more likely you are to retain the position. Once age catches up with you, the next young person replaces you without fair warning. Tech jobs are following this route also.

The same can’t be said for accountants, doctors, lawyers and other corporate professions. With those, the older you become, the more experienced in the position.

Every day, we see Nigerian models making waves on international runways and campaigns, from Paris to Milan. Yet, behind those success stories are countless others , young, talented individuals , who never get the chance to step into a studio, not because they lack potential, but because of family constraints.

For many Nigerian families, modeling is still seen as an unserious or “worldly” career path. A typical conversation goes:

“Modeling ke? Go and face your book!”
“So you want to be showing your body online?”

Sound familiar?

The truth is, this mindset has silenced many gifted young Nigerians , especially young women , who could have represented the country globally. But can there really be a solution to this struggle?

From what I’ve seen, yes , but it’s not an overnight fix.

Here’s what can help:

1. Education and Understanding:

Families reject what they don’t understand. When parents are shown that modeling can be structured, professional, and ethical, their resistance softens.

2. Patience and Consistency:

It’s not about rebellion. It’s about proving seriousness. When a family sees consistent discipline , balancing school, work, and passion , their perspective begins to change.

3.Structure and Credibility:

Being associated with legitimate modeling programs or agencies gives you a professional identity. It separates you from the stereotype of “runaway slay queens and random Instagram models.”

4. Respecting Cultural Balance:

Nigeria is still deeply cultural and conservative. Success in modeling doesn’t mean losing your values , it means proving that excellence and decency can coexist.

The Nigerian modeling industry is slowly evolving, but societal acceptance is even slower. For now, every aspiring model who breaks that family barrier is a trailblazer , paving the way for others.

What do you think?
Should families be more open-minded toward creative careers like modeling?
Or are they right to be cautious, considering how unsafe and unregulated the industry can be?

Let’s talk.

Written by Prince Ideal Atuluku Esq - ceo/founder Ideal Models Connect [b][/b]

Why Many Nigerian Models Struggle Internationally: The Poor Foundation in Preliminary Education


When we talk about the struggles of Nigerian models on the international scene, many people rush to blame lack of exposure, poor management, or limited opportunities.
But the truth runs deeper , our foundation in education.

Many aspiring models today lack the basic educational grounding that supports growth, discipline, and intellectual adaptability. Modeling in the modern world is not just about height, beauty, or catwalk , it’s about communication, confidence, critical thinking, and global awareness.

When you meet international models, you quickly notice a difference. They speak articulately, write professionally, understand contracts, branding, and can represent themselves intelligently in interviews and negotiations.
Unfortunately, a large percentage of young Nigerian models struggle with these soft skills, not because they’re not talented, but because their preliminary education failed to build that foundation.

How can we compete globally when many can’t draft a professional bio, reply to emails correctly, or even interpret brand briefs?
Education is what transforms talent into professionalism. Without it, the creative industry , especially modeling , will continue to struggle to gain global respect.

We need to start a serious conversation about integrating basic education, communication, and professional development into modeling academies and training programs in Nigeria.

Maybe then, we can raise a new generation of world-class Nigerian models who can walk international runways not just with poise , but with intellect.

In fact, this concern is one of the key themes discussed in the recently developed “Models Mastery – A Complete Handbook to Succeed in the Modern Modelling Industry” by Prince Ideal Atuluku, Esq. The book emphasizes that without a strong educational foundation, even the most talented model can remain underrated. It explores how knowledge, communication, and personal development are just as essential as looks and runway skills in today’s global modeling landscape.


Photo 1: Prince Ideal Atuluku during a model training session in Abuja.
Photo 2 and 3 : Session with models on professionalism and communication in modeling.

The Association of Beauty Pageant & Fashion Exhibition Organizers of Nigeria (ABPFEON) received with deep shock and sadness the tragic news of the passing of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, fondly known as “Sommie”, following an armed robbery attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja, on Monday.

Sommie was a shining star whose grace, brilliance, and passion for pageantry brought pride to Nigeria. Having won the Miss Tourism Nigeria pageant, she went on to represent our country at the Miss Tourism World pageant in Quanzhou, China, in 2023. In 2024, she took her career further by formally joining ARISE TV, where she continued to inspire countless young people with her elegance, professionalism, and dedication.

Her sudden and painful exit is a huge loss not only to her family, friends, and colleagues at ARISE TV, but also to the entire pageant and fashion industry, which she represented with dignity and excellence.

We also wish to deeply appreciate the presence and swift intervention of Hon. Ejiro, one of the association’s founding fathers and the Founder/CEO of Most Beautiful Girl in Abuja, the oldest pageant in Abuja with 25 years of existence. Hon. Ejiro was promptly at the scene of the incident and was able to swiftly alert and involve the police authorities, ensuring immediate attention and response. His timely action in such a tragic moment reflects the spirit of leadership, solidarity, and responsibility our industry upholds.

On behalf of the President of ABPFEON and the entire national body, we extend our deepest condolences to Somtochukwu’s family, her friends, and her colleagues at ARISE TV. We pray for comfort, strength, and healing during this most difficult time.

Sommie’s memory will forever remain a beacon of beauty, resilience, and inspiration in our hearts and in the history of Nigerian pageantry.

May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Signed:
Prince Ideal Atuluku Esq.

Thanks janny.
Here’s the book cover for those asking…
This guide has been useful to a lot of aspiring talents already.

I’ve worked in the Nigerian modeling and entertainment industry for over 15 years — scouting, training, and managing models across different states.

One thing I’ve consistently noticed is that many aspiring models struggle unnecessarily because they don’t have proper guidance, training, or understanding of how the industry works.

Some of the most common issues include:

Lack of clarity about branding and identity

Misunderstanding of castings, contracts, and agencies

Getting exploited or discouraged due to rejection

Not knowing the difference between looking good and being market-ready


I’ve seen incredibly talented people give up too early just because they weren’t taught the right way to build a modeling career.

This inspired me to put together everything I’ve learned, observed, and taught into a single, structured guide — practical, ethical, and 100% from a Nigerian perspective.

It’s called Models Mastery — and I believe it can help many upcoming talents avoid mistakes, save time, and grow confidently.

Let’s Discuss:

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced or noticed in modeling?

Should there be more training or structure for aspiring models in Nigeria?


Feel free to share your experience or ask questions.