Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria 2021, 33rd edition of MBGN, was held on 18th September 2021 at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria where Maristella Okpala was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2021 as she became the official representative of Nigeria at Miss Universe 2021. She succeeds Miss Universe Nigeria 2019 Olutosin Araromi.
Maristella Okpala is a Nigerian cabin crew and a dental technician. She was born and raised in Enugu State, Nigeria but she later moved to Anambra State, Nigeria and is the eldest among four siblings. With her outstanding performance and hardwork, Okpala bested 36 other contestants to win the national crown. Okpala attended Peace Nursery and Primary School for her elementary education and Federal Government College for her secondary education, which are both in Enugu State. She later went to the Federal School of Dental Technology and Therapy.
Okpala’s pageant journey is phenomenal which makes her a strong contender at the international platform such as Miss Universe. She held the title of Miss Style Queen, Nigeria 2012. In 2015, she represented Nigeria at Supermodel International 2014 at the Aetas Hotel and Residence Ballroom in Bangkok, Thailand where she finished in the Top 10. She also competed at Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2017 where she won the Miss Photogenic award and finished in the Top 15.
Okpala won the title of Miss Earth Nigeria 2018 on 8th September 2018 and went on to represent Nigeria at Miss Earth 2018 which was held in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on 8th November 2018. Although Okpala gave a strong performance, she remained unplaced. She also holds the title of Naesim International Queen of the Year 2019. Okpala will surely give a tough competition to the other delegates at the upcoming edition of Miss Universe.
Apart from Maristella Okpala, Oluchi Madubuike was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2021 as she became the official representative of Nigeria at Miss World 2021. She succeeds Miss World Nigeria 2019 Nyekachi Douglas who went on to place in Top 5 at Miss World 2019 and won the title of Miss World Africa 2019. Adaeze Chineme bagged the title of Miss Supranational Nigeria 2022 as she will represent her country at the next edition of Miss Supranational. Mercy Jessica Odjugo bagged the title of MBGN Tourism 2021 while Lydia Okojie won the title of MBGN Ecowas 2021.
The finale was a success which was hosted by Toke Makinwa, a Nigerian radio personality, television host, vlogger, lifestyle entrepreneur and author and Bovi, a Nigerian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer from Delta State who has organized popular stand-up comedy concerts like Bovi Man on Fire across the globe. The 2020 edition of national pageant was cancelled due to covid-19 spread across the world.
A number of special awards were also presented at the finale; Doubra Ogula representing Sokoto was awarded Best in Talent, Damilola Bolarinde was awarded Best in Traditional Attire while Uche Orome Natali Okolie was awarded Miss Photogenic award. Ikechukwu Ifunanya was adjudged Miss Amity, Funmi Akinjiola was adjudged MBGN Model award and last but not the least, Damilola Bolarinde bagged Miss Lush award.
In 2019, Olutosin Araromi Miss Universe Nigeria 2019 represented her country at Miss Universe 2019 and with her stunning performance, she placed in the Top 20. Congratulations to the winners.