The Miss Intercontinental Nigeria Organisation has appointed Adeola Shonubi as its 2026 national titleholder, tasking her with carrying the Nigerian flag to the global finals in Egypt.
She emerged from a thorough appointment process after initially finishing as a top finalist representing the Diaspora team during the selection window.
“The moment has arrived. We are pleased to introduce Adeola Shonubi as Miss Intercontinental Nigeria 2026 officially,” the organisation said. “Following the completion of the appointment process, Adeola will carry the Nigerian flag and represent the nation on the global stage.”
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Shonubi is a digital creator, human resources leader and beauty queen. She was crowned 1st Princess and 1st Runner-Up at Miss Africa USA 2025.
She founded the Ori_ade Foundation, a non-profit focused on education, hunger relief and community uplift, particularly widows’ empowerment programmes in Nigeria. She serves as President of Youth for Human Rights International Maryland and represents Nigeria as a UN and World Bank youth delegate.
Professionally, she works as a Manager and Human Resources Business Partner at FAB.
A History of Near Misses
Nigeria has come close to the Miss Intercontinental crown only once, and even that victory slipped away.
In 1989, Bianca Onoh — now Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu — won the title, becoming the first African woman to claim the global crown. She resigned months later, and the title passed to the Dominican Republic’s first runner-up.
Since then, Nigeria’s best result came in 2022, when Joy Raimi Mojisola finished as 3rd Runner-Up in Sharm El-Sheikh. As the highest-placing African delegate, she was crowned Miss Intercontinental Africa.
Omasan Buwa, the inaugural Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria winner, reached the Top 5 in 1987. Emesiobi Dwelling Chisaoku advanced to the Top 23 semifinals at the 53rd edition in January 2026.
The Global Stage
The 54th Miss Intercontinental grand final is scheduled for 31 January 2027 at The V Grand Resort in Sahl Hasheesh, Egypt. Delegates arrive on 23 January. About 70 contestants are expected.
The reigning monarch is Varvara Yakovenko of Russia, crowned in January 2026.
Shonubi is aiming to become Nigeria’s second winner and the first since Onoh’s brief reign 37 years ago.
