Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, Chidimma Adetshina, has drawn mixed reactions online after indicating interest in participating in the 2026 edition of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality television show.
In a video shared on her X (formerly Twitter) page, Adetshina said she had wanted to audition for the 2025 season of the show but was advised against it by her management because she was still a reigning beauty queen at the time.
“My manager said I couldn’t do it because I was still Miss Universe Nigeria,” she said. “Now that the chapter is closed, I want to try new things. I also want to do Big Brother next year.”
She added that she enjoyed her eight-month stay in Nigeria during her reign and plans to return once her documentation issues are resolved.
“I really enjoyed my stay in Nigeria. Once I get my documents sorted, I’m going back. Nigeria was really great for me,” she said.
However, her statement triggered criticism from some social media users who questioned her commitment to living in Nigeria.
One user accused her of benefiting from opportunities in Nigeria without making plans to stay in the country permanently.
“It’s like she enjoys the benefits in Nigeria but refuses to settle there,” the user wrote.
Adetshina responded publicly to the comment, defending her decision and explaining that personal challenges were behind her absence.
“How can I settle when I have serious issues that need to be solved? Just because you’re not in my shoes, please don’t speak for me respectfully,” she replied.
Recall that Adetshina faced earlier controversies during her participation in the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant. At the time, her nationality and eligibility were questioned online, leading to intense scrutiny and public pressure. She later withdrew from the competition.
Following her withdrawal, Adetshina entered and won Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, a victory that many saw as a turnaround in her career, while others viewed it with scepticism.
In a recent interview with Daily Sun, Adetshina spoke about the emotional strain of the past year and her desire to move forward.
“I don’t want that chapter to be my identity anymore,” she said. “This whole journey is finally over. Maybe now I can talk about it and let it die out.”
She also described Nigeria as a place she found welcoming after her experience in South Africa.
“While the Miss SA chapter was filled with challenges, Nigeria has been warm, exciting, and full of life,” she said.
Adetshina, who is 24 years old, has also announced plans to take a break from pageantry to focus on her education, modelling, and acting career.
As of now, organisers of BBNaija have not confirmed whether she has formally registered for the 2026 edition of the show.
