Twenty-six-year-old Tamunosoye Karibi-George is flying Nigeria’s flag at the ongoing 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam, having emerged as Miss World Nigeria 2026.
The Port Harcourt-born beauty queen defeated 19 other finalists to clinch the national crown at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. Though a native of Rivers State, she represented Bayelsa State during the competition.
Now in Vietnam, Karibi-George has joined contestants from across the globe for a series of activities and challenges building up to the grand finale of the pageant.
Beyond the glamour, she is a trained communications professional with a strong interest in advocacy, public engagement, and social development. She studied at Madonna University, Okija, after completing her secondary education at Obiye High School and Obiye Academy. She is also an associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
One of the causes closest to her heart is the inclusion and empowerment of children with special needs. Through her initiative, Beyond Labels, she advocates for a society where children are not defined by their disabilities or circumstances, but are instead given the opportunity to develop their abilities and pursue their dreams. This advocacy has become central to her pageant journey, giving her a platform to spotlight the experiences of children with special needs.
Karibi-George is no stranger to the pageant world. Before winning the Miss World Nigeria crown, she was crowned Miss Africa International 2024 in Accra, Ghana — an experience that gave her a taste of international pageantry. She takes over from Joy Mojisola Raimi, who represented Nigeria at the 72nd Miss World competition in India and finished among the Top 20.
Ahead of her departure for Vietnam, Karibi-George made it clear that her participation was about more than just competing for a crown.
“With purpose in my heart, I depart Nigeria to represent our great nation at the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam,” she wrote in a Facebook post on August 7.
“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,” she added.
She concluded with a rallying note: “Vietnam is calling, and Nigeria is coming.”
As the competition progresses, Karibi-George will take part in activities designed to test contestants’ communication skills, confidence, intelligence, sense of purpose, and commitment to social causes. For the Nigerian representative, the Miss World stage is more than a contest for the crown — it is an opportunity to promote her advocacy, showcase Nigerian culture, and amplify the message of inclusion for children with special needs.
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