African Queens Make History as Tanzania, Nigeria Win Pageant Crowns in Thailand
African beauty queens have recorded notable achievements on the international pageant stage, with Tanzania’s Jihan Mohin Dimachk winning Miss Grand International 2026 and Nigeria’s Oma Osele emerging winner of Miss Continental World 2026 in Thailand.
Dimachk, 30, was crowned Miss Grand International on October 10 at MGI Hall in Bangkok, becoming the first African woman to win the title since the competition began in 2013.
She emerged winner from a field of 80 contestants, succeeding the Philippines’ Emma Mary Tiglao, whose country had won the title in 2024 and 2025.
During the final question-and-answer session, Dimachk highlighted kindness as a key quality of an empowered woman, citing her mother as an example of someone who puts others before herself.
She said kindness enables a woman to lead with compassion and make a positive difference in the world.
Ecuador’s Shyare Andrade finished as first runner-up, followed by the Netherlands’ Beau Megan Goos in second place, Guatemala’s Ximena Carrillo in third and Vietnam’s Emoura Pham in fourth.
Nigeria recorded another achievement on October 9 when Oma Osele was crowned Miss Continental World 2026 at the grand finale in Ayutthaya, Thailand.
Osele, 28, is a medical laboratory scientist, entrepreneur and model from Lagos. She represented Nigeria after winning EliteGlam Pageant Nigeria 2025 and defeated contestants from more than 20 countries to claim the international title.
In addition to the main crown, she won the Queen of Africa title as the highest-placed African contestant and the Best National Costume award for her cultural presentation. She had also won the World Premiere Award in September after topping the global fan vote on Eventista’s 1Vote platform.
Nigeria also recorded a strong result in the male category, as its representative, Unwana Sambo Essien, finished third runner-up at Mister Continental World 2026. He also received the King of Kings title and the Best National Attire award.
The achievements have brought international recognition to Tanzania and Nigeria, highlighting the growing presence of African contestants in global beauty pageants.
African Queens Make History as Tanzania, Nigeria Win Pageant Crowns in Thailand