Damilola Bolarinde, representing Lagos, has been crowned the winner of the Face of Hope 2026 beauty pageant, earning the right to represent Nigeria at the Miss International 2026 competition.
The grand finale, held on April 19, 2026, at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos, was a historic event as reigning Miss International 2025, Catalina Duque of Colombia, was present to crown the new representative — marking the first time a sitting Miss International titleholder has visited Nigeria.
Bolarinde, a seasoned pageant veteran and professional model, competed against top finalists including Thaddeus Peace (Miss Ondo) and Genevieve Ukatu (Miss Anambra). Before her final victory, she was recognised for her discipline, winning the Day 1 Punctuality Award and a cash prize of ₦100,000.
The new queen is known for her advocacy through “The Unconventional Quest,” an initiative encouraging youth to pursue non-traditional career paths. Her previous accolades include Miss Grand Nigeria 2022, where she placed in the Top 20 in Vietnam, and 1st Runner-Up at Miss Universe Nigeria 2025.
With her victory, Bolarinde now sets her sights on the global stage, aiming to bring the Miss International crown to Nigeria for the first time. The competition is scheduled to take place later this year in Japan.
