Doris Esiokhayamhe Ogah, a 26-year-old Nigerian lawyer and model representing the South-South region, has emerged as the winner of the 45th Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant.
The prestigious event, themed ‘Beyond Beauty: Reigning Together as Queens’, took place on Thursday, December 19, at the Royal Box in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Out of 45 contestants from across the country, 20 semi-finalists were selected, with 10 advancing to the finals.
The top ten finalists included Ann Eneanya, Abosede Sorinola, Oluwatofunmi Adekola, Praise Obafemi, Diane Paul, Simeon Obianujuwa, Faith Ogbele, Divine Nelson, Oluwabukumi Ogunsanya, and Ogah.
The competition intensified during a question-and-answer session, where contestants addressed how they would use their platforms to tackle challenges faced by Nigerian youths if crowned. This round narrowed the finalists to five: Ann Eneanya, Divine Nelson, Diane Paul, Oluwabukumi Ogunsanya, and Ogah.
After a final round of questioning, the panel of judges declared Ogah the winner of the 45th Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant.
Shatu Garko, the outgoing 44th Miss Nigeria, congratulated Ogah and offered heartfelt advice for her reign.
She said, “To my successor, congratulations on beginning this incredible chapter. Embrace this journey with an open heart. Your crown is more than a symbol; it is a tool to inspire and uplift others. Trust yourself, because you have everything it takes to shine in this role.
“As I hand over this crown, I do so with gratitude and hope for the future. Though my reign ends here, the impact and memories will stay with me forever. This is not a goodbye; it is the beginning of a new chapter.”
The panel of judges included Mo Abudu, who led the team, and renowned personalities such as designer Mai Atafo, actress Kate Henshaw, and photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi.
Other judges were Dr. Adaobi Nwakuche, Olatomiwa Williams, Wunmi Ogunbiyi, Aisha Abba Kyari, actress Ini Edo, TV host Michelle Dede, and former Miss Nigeria Ezinne Akudo Anyaoha.
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