Arts and Culture Minister Hannatu Musawa has urged Nigerians to vote for Nigeria’s Soye as she competes in the Top 40 of Miss World 2026 ahead of the September 5 finale.
Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture, tourism and the creative economy, has urged Nigerians to vote for Tamunosoye Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, as she competes in the closing stages of the 73rd Miss World contest.
Karibi-George was recently named Africa’s Top Model at the ongoing Miss World 2026 pageant in Vietnam, a win that also secured her a place in the competition’s Top 40. The contest finale is scheduled for September 5.
“Nigeria Is Behind You, Soye”
In a post on X, Musawa praised Karibi-George’s performance and called on Nigerians to rally behind her as the pageant enters its decisive stages.
“Dear Soye, seeing you carry Nigeria’s name with such grace, confidence and purpose on the Miss World stage has made us incredibly proud,” she wrote.
The minister said Karibi-George’s achievements go beyond the competition itself, crediting her with using the platform to showcase Nigeria internationally, speak on issues that matter, and inspire young people. She stressed that time was running out for Nigerians to cast their votes.
“Nigerians continue to stand with you. There are just nine hours left to vote, and the window is closing fast,” Musawa wrote.
Musawa also shared a link to vote for Karibi-George — missworld.1voting.com/en/candidate/EVENT_dNWcJ/nigeria-1suM — encouraging Nigerians to vote and to mobilise others to do the same.
“Soye needs every vote and every point matters for the stages ahead… Please, let’s come together, vote, share and encourage others to do the same. Queen Soye, Nigeria is behind you,” she added.
Road to the Finale
Queen Tamunosoye Karibi-George | Miss World 2026 contestant.
Karibi-George, 26, is from Port Harcourt in Rivers State and represented Bayelsa State when she was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026, defeating other contestants in the national pageant held in Nigeria. She succeeded Joy Mojisola Raimi, who represented Nigeria at the previous Miss World edition and reached the Top 20.
A trained communications professional, Karibi-George is an associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative focused on inclusion, dignity and empowerment for children with special needs. She previously won Miss Africa International 2024 in Accra, Ghana, before going on to claim the Miss World Nigeria title.
At the ongoing Miss World festival in Vietnam, she claimed the Africa Top Model title ahead of contestants from Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, Kenya and South Africa, automatically securing her spot in the Top 40 quarterfinals. She has also drawn attention online for her vocal talent, after a video of her singing during the competition went viral.
Nigeria has produced one Miss World winner to date: Agbani Darego, who won the title in 2001.
