Meet the 26-Year-Old Model Representing Nigeria at Miss World 2026 in Vietnam

Tamunosoye Karibi-George, the new Miss World Nigeria 2026, has touched down in Vietnam. She is representing Nigeria at the ongoing 73rd Miss World Festival.

The 26-year-old beauty from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is competing against contestants from various countries for the Miss World crown.

Karibi-George was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. She won the title from a group of 20 finalists.

Though she is a native of Port Harcourt, she represented Bayelsa State during the Miss World Nigeria competition. Now, she has joined other contestants in Vietnam for the activities and challenges leading up to the grand finale of the pageant.

Karibi-George, who is popularly called Soye, is a trained communications professional. She has a passion for advocacy, public engagement, and social development.

She studied at Madonna University, Okija, after finishing her secondary education at Obiye High School and Obiye Academy. She is also an associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

Besides her career and pageantry, Karibi-George is known for advocating for children with special needs. She founded Beyond Labels, an initiative aimed at inclusion, dignity, and empowerment for children facing challenges.

Through Beyond Labels, she pushes for a society where children are not judged by their disabilities or circumstances. Instead, they should have the chance to discover their abilities, develop their talents, and chase their dreams.

Her advocacy work is a key part of her identity as a beauty queen. Karibi-George is not new to international pageantry. Before winning the Miss World Nigeria title, she was crowned Miss Africa International 2024 in Accra, Ghana.

That experience gave her exposure to the world of pageantry and helped her prepare for the global Miss World stage. She beat 19 other finalists to become Miss World Nigeria 2026, succeeding Joy Mojisola Raimi.

Raimi represented Nigeria at the 72nd Miss World pageant in India and made it to the Top 20. She was also among the leading contestants from Africa.

Now, Karibi-George aims to go further in the competition and possibly become Nigeria’s next Miss World. Before her trip to Vietnam, she shared her thoughts on the opportunity.

In a Facebook post on August 7, she wrote, "With purpose in my heart, I depart Nigeria to represent our great nation at the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam."

She added, "This journey is about more than competing for the Blue Crown. It is about representing the strength, culture, tenacity, and compassion of our nation, while continuing to champion the Beyond Labels Initiative and the belief that every individual deserves to be seen for their potential."

"Vietnam is calling, and Nigeria is coming," she wrote.

Now in Vietnam, Karibi-George is involved in the ongoing Miss World activities. Contestants are competing across different stages of the festival. The competition is not just about looks. Contestants must show intelligence, confidence, communication skills, purpose, and commitment to social causes.

For Karibi-George, her Beyond Labels advocacy is a chance to share the challenges and experiences of children with special needs with a larger audience. She is also expected to showcase Nigeria’s culture and identity throughout the competition.

Her participation comes as Nigeria hopes for another strong performance at the Miss World pageant after Raimi’s Top 20 finish last year. The 73rd Miss World Festival is happening in Vietnam, and contestants are taking part in various activities, challenges, and engagements before the final.

As the competition heats up, everyone is eager to see how far Karibi-George can go in her quest for the Blue Crown. For the woman from Port Harcourt, this journey is not only about winning a crown.

It is also a chance to share Nigeria’s story, promote her advocacy, and show that beauty, purpose, and social impact can shine together.