The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to support Miss World Nigeria 2026, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, as she competes in the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam.

The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, made the appeal in a post on X on Friday, praising Karibi-George’s performance and urging Nigerians to vote as the competition enters its decisive stages.

Musawa said Karibi-George’s emergence as Africa’s Top Model and qualification for the Top 40 had made the country proud. She also commended the 26-year-old for using the global platform to showcase Nigeria and highlight issues affecting young people.

“Seeing you carry Nigeria’s name with such grace, confidence and purpose on the Miss World stage has made us incredibly proud,” the minister said.

Musawa said only nine hours remained before voting closed, urging Nigerians to vote, share information about the process and encourage others to support the Nigerian contestant.

Karibi-George, a native of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 after emerging from 20 finalists at the national pageant held at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. She represented Bayelsa State in the competition.

A communications professional and associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Karibi-George is also the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative focused on inclusion and empowerment for children with special needs. She previously won Miss Africa International 2024 in Accra, Ghana.

Speaking before her departure for Vietnam, Karibi-George said her participation was an opportunity to promote Nigeria’s culture and advance her advocacy for inclusion.

She will now seek to progress further in the global competition and improve on Joy Mojisola Raimi’s Top 20 finish at the previous Miss World edition.