A new contender has stepped into the Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 conversation, and she brings a distinctly global résumé.
Melissa Angelica Eyang, a businesswoman and model of Nigerian and Equatorial Guinean heritage, has officially declared her candidacy for the national crown.
In a passionate 86-second video announcement released this week, Eyang laid out a profile that blends international education, multilingual fluency, and entrepreneurial drive.
She studied international trade in China, holds a master’s degree in managerial development, emotional intelligence, and coaching, and is currently pursuing further studies in international relations and communication. She speaks Spanish, English, and Chinese, and is actively learning Portuguese.
Eyang divides her time between the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria, working in human resources and real estate. She also runs her own company, Kairos, which helps small and medium enterprises set up their business structures.
Her heritage is central to her identity. “My mother is from Equatorial Guinea, the only country in Africa where Spanish is the official language, and is also recognised as one of the safest countries in the world. My father is from Nigeria, the giant of Africa, one of the fastest-growing economies and most populous countries in the African continent,” she said. “I am African, I am Hispanic, I am Nigerian, and I would love to represent Nigeria on a global stage.”
Eyang, who previously won Miss Premium Africa 2021, framed education as her core advocacy. “I advocate for education because it unlocks global opportunities,” she stated. She believes her vision aligns with the values of the Miss Universe Nigeria organisation and hopes to represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico later this year.
With her multilingual ability, cross-cultural background, and business experience, Eyang joins an increasingly diverse field of aspirants vying for the crown.
The Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 competition is expected to draw a wide array of candidates from across the country and the diaspora.
