Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 contestant, Ufa Dania, has addressed claims suggesting that South Africans supported her to undermine fellow contestant Chidimma Adetshina.
Dania, who represented Kwara as the first plus-size contestant in the competition’s history, gained substantial backing from South African supporters during the pageant.
Despite the wave of support for Dania, it was Chidimma Adetshina, embroiled in a controversy regarding her eligibility to participate in this year’s Miss South Africa, who ultimately won the Miss Universe Nigeria crown.
In an interview with Channels TV shared on Thursday, Dania attributed the enthusiasm of her South African supporters to her relatability and shared characteristics, dismissing suggestions that it was a deliberate snub to Adetshina.
“Personally, I don’t believe South Africans supported me to spite Chidimma. Before the competition, I launched an Instagram series called ‘Road to Miss Universe Nigeria,’ where I shared my personality with my followers.
“I’m not sure how my content reached South Africans, but their response was overwhelming,” Dania explained.
She added that many South Africans, particularly women, resonated with her image.
“They connected with me because I reflect something familiar to them – especially the curvy, dark-skinned South African women. A lot of the messages I received on social media expressed that sentiment.”
Dania emphasised that the support was likely rooted in a sense of relatability.
“I think they saw someone they could relate to on a deeper level, which is why they voted for me. I don’t believe it had anything to do with Chidimma; they simply saw something in me that others may have overlooked.”
