Nigeria’s representative at the 2026 Miss World pageant, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, has finished among the Top 12 contestants, as Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic emerged winner of the prestigious competition.
Mola was crowned Miss World 2026 on Saturday during the grand finale of the 73rd edition of the pageant held at April 2 Square in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
Her victory marked the second time the Dominican Republic has produced a Miss World winner, following Mariasela Álvarez’s triumph in 1982.
Mola succeeded Thailand’s Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri, who won the 2025 edition and crowned her successor at the finale.
Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés Alabern was named first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty emerged second runner-up. Chetty also received the Beauty with a Purpose award in recognition of her social impact initiatives.
Nigeria’s Journey
Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, impressed throughout the competition, progressing from the early stages to the Top 40, Top 20 and eventually the Top 12 before her journey came to an end.
The 26-year-old earned an automatic spot in the Top 40 after winning the Africa Top Model title at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest. She defeated representatives from Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya and South Africa to claim the continental modelling title.
She later advanced to the Top 20 and Top 12, joining contestants from Brazil, France, the Philippines, Zambia and Zimbabwe who also failed to secure places in the final six.
The six finalists were Mola of the Dominican Republic, Reynés of Spain, Chetty of Malaysia, Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc of Vietnam, Romanda Hombir of South Africa and Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin of Eritrea.
Who Is Miss World 2026?
Mola, 24, is a literature and social studies teacher, professional model, news correspondent and community advocate.
She holds a degree in Business Management and Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana and founded Voices of Tomorrow, an initiative dedicated to expanding access to English-language education for children and young people in vulnerable communities.
Her advocacy for education remained central to her campaign throughout the competition.
Mola had earlier won the Americas and Caribbean Top Model title, which earned her a place in the Top 40.
Her victory also reflected the Miss World organisation’s long-running “Beauty with a Purpose” philosophy, which places social impact and community service alongside beauty and modelling.
Karibi-George’s Miss World Nigeria Journey
Karibi-George, who hails from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, represented Bayelsa State at the national pageant before being crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 in June at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
She succeeded Joy Mojisola Raimi, who reached the Top 20 at the 2025 Miss World competition.
A communications professional, model, actress, voice-over artist, event host and scriptwriter, Karibi-George is also the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative focused on inclusion, dignity, education and empowerment for children with disabilities, special needs and neurodivergent individuals.
During the competition, she participated in the Head-to-Head Challenge and Talent Competition, where she performed Sia’s “Opportunity.”
She also showcased Nigerian culture through a series of outfits inspired by the country’s cultural and environmental heritage.
Among her notable appearances was the “Amazon of the Mangrove” costume, which highlighted environmental resilience and women’s strength. She also wore a green-and-white evening gown inspired by Nigeria’s national colours.
Miss World 2026
The 2026 competition featured 111 contestants representing countries across four continental groups: Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Europe, and Asia and Oceania.
Contestants competed through several stages, including fast-track challenges and successive Top 40, Top 20, Top 12 and Top Six rounds before the winner and runners-up were determined.
The 2026 edition was the first Miss World competition hosted by Vietnam and formed part of celebrations marking the organisation’s 75th anniversary.
Several countries also made their Miss World debut during the edition, including Eritrea, French Guiana, the Maldives, Mozambique and Pakistan.
With Mola now crowned Miss World 2026, Tanzania is set to host the 74th edition of the global beauty pageant in 2027.
