Nigeria’s pageant world crowned a new queen Friday night as Joy Mojisola Raimi, representing Osun State, emerged victorious at the 2025 Miss World Nigeria competition after a fierce contest against 36 other contestants from across the country’s diverse states and territories.
The glittering coronation ceremony, held at the prestigious Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos, saw Raimi rise above formidable competitors including runners-up from Imo, Ebonyi, Abuja, and Abia to claim the coveted title that will see her represent Africa’s most populous nation on the global stage.
With her victory secured, Raimi now begins preparations for an even greater challenge – representing Nigeria at the 72nd Miss World pageant scheduled for Hyderabad, India, from May 7 to 31, 2025, where she will compete against representatives from 140 countries for the international crown.
The new queen’s journey to the title showcased not just her physical beauty but also her intelligence, poise, and commitment to community service – all qualities that embody the Miss World organization’s “Beauty With A Purpose” motto that emphasizes humanitarian projects and social impact beyond conventional beauty standards.
Beauty pageant analyst Chioma Onyekwere noted the significance of Raimi’s victory: “The Miss World Nigeria competition has evolved significantly over the years to focus on contestants’ total package – their intelligence, cultural awareness, and commitment to social causes. Raimi demonstrated excellence across all these dimensions, making her a worthy ambassador for Nigerian womanhood on the international stage.
The competition featured the traditional segments that have become hallmarks of major pageant competitions – evening gown, swimwear, talent showcase, and the critical interview portions where contestants articulated their platforms and vision for their potential reign.
Industry observers noted that Raimi particularly excelled during the question-and-answer segments, where her thoughtful responses on issues affecting Nigerian youth, women’s empowerment, and cultural preservation resonated strongly with the judging panel comprised of former beauty queens, entertainment industry professionals, and corporate sponsors.
Pageant director Adaeze Igwe emphasized the rigorous selection process: “Our judges evaluated contestants on multiple criteria beyond physical appearance – their communication skills, cultural knowledge, leadership potential, and most importantly, their proposed ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ projects that would create meaningful impact in communities across Nigeria.”
The Miss World Nigeria pageant has gained increasing prominence in recent years as part of Nigeria’s growing influence in the global beauty pageant landscape. Nigerian representatives have historically performed well at international competitions, with notable placements including Agbani Darego’s historic Miss World win in 2001 – the first by a Black African contestant.
Cultural commentator Dr. Foluke Ademola-Johnson contextualized the significance of beauty pageants in Nigeria’s social landscape: “While some critics view pageants through a narrow lens, these competitions have evolved into platforms that celebrate Nigerian women’s intellectual capabilities and leadership potential. For many contestants, pageants provide scholarships, business opportunities, and platforms to advocate for social causes they’re passionate about.
The road to the crown was not without its challenges for contestants who underwent a grueling month-long boot camp prior to the final event. During this preparation period, they received training in public speaking, etiquette, runway walking, cultural awareness, and social media management – all skills essential for whoever would ultimately wear the crown.
Fashion designer and pageant coach Uche Nnaji explained the transformation process: “The boot camp experience is designed to refine contestants into complete brand ambassadors ready to represent Nigeria globally. Beyond the glamour, contestants develop professional and personal skills that serve them throughout their careers, whether or not they win the title.”
As Miss World Nigeria 2025, Raimi receives a comprehensive prize package that typically includes a luxury car, apartment accommodation during her reign, wardrobe allowance, and substantial cash prizes. More importantly, she gains a national platform to implement her social impact initiatives and represent Nigerian culture, fashion, and values internationally.
Her upcoming participation at the 72nd Miss World competition in India will require additional preparation, as she will need to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage through national costume displays, cultural talent presentations, and articulating the nation’s diversity and strengths to global audiences.
The Miss World competition, first held in 1951, remains one of the oldest and most prestigious international beauty pageants. Its evolution has paralleled changing social attitudes, with increasing emphasis on contestants’ humanitarian work, educational achievements, and advocacy platforms rather than physical attributes alone.
Nigerian pageant historian Emmanuel Okafor noted the significance of adequate preparation for international competitions: “Success at Miss World requires strategic preparation that showcases Nigeria’s unique cultural identity while demonstrating the contestant’s personal strengths. Raimi will need to highlight her ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ project effectively, as this component has become increasingly central to determining the overall winner.”
The Miss World Nigeria organization has indicated that Raimi will spend the coming months engaging with stakeholders across various sectors of Nigerian society – from government officials to cultural institutions and corporate sponsors – who will support her journey to the international stage.
Raimi’s victory continues the tradition of the Miss World Nigeria pageant, which annually celebrates the positive qualities of Nigerian women while providing a platform to showcase the country’s beauty, intelligence, and cultural richness to domestic and international audiences.
Pageant organizers expressed confidence in Raimi’s potential to perform well at the international competition, citing Nigeria’s strong track record and her particular combination of grace, intelligence, and purposeful vision that captured the judges’ attention during the national competition.
As Nigeria’s beauty ambassador for 2025, Raimi now shoulders the responsibility of representing over 200 million Nigerians on the global stage – a task that transcends mere physical beauty to encompass cultural diplomacy and nation branding in an increasingly connected world where such soft power carries significant weight in shaping international perceptions.
