Nigerian Beauty Queen Faces Citizenship Loss Over ID Theft

Citizenship on the Line for Chidimma Adetshina

As the investigation unfolds, Adetshina's future as a South African...

Miss Universe Nigeria Chidinma Adetshina faces citizenship crisis in South Africa amid identity theft allegations, threatening her dual nationality status

Chidinma Adetshina, the recently crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, is embroiled in a nationality dispute that threatens to revoke her South African citizenship and travel documents.

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs announced on Tuesday, October 29, that an investigation into Adetshina's citizenship status revealed she has roots in both Mozambique and Nigeria, raising concerns about her eligibility for South African citizenship.

The probe was initiated after Adetshina's participation in the Miss South Africa pageant sparked controversy due to her dual citizenship, prompting questions about her qualification to represent South Africa.

Allegations of possible identity theft by Adetshina's mother have further complicated the situation, putting her citizenship status under intense scrutiny.

As the investigation unfolds, Adetshina's future as a South African citizen hangs in the balance, with potential repercussions for her travel documents and nationality status.

Claims of identity theft involving Chidimma Adetshina's mother intensified scrutiny, leading to Adetshina's withdrawal from the Miss South Africa competition in August. The allegations suggest that her mother may have fraudulently obtained South African nationality.

Following her departure, Adetshina redirected her focus to the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, accepting an invitation to represent her Nigerian heritage. However, this decision sparked a torrent of xenophobic backlash online.

The harsh criticism took a profound toll on Adetshina, prompting her to reveal that she would require professional therapy to heal from the emotional distress inflicted by the online abuse.

Chidimma Adetshina, the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria, is facing a major setback as South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has announced that she and her mother will lose their citizenship documents. The reason? They failed to meet the deadline to prove their citizenship claims. This decision comes after a thorough investigation into Adetshina's status, which was sparked by her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant. The controversy surrounding her eligibility due to her Mozambican and Nigerian heritage led to her withdrawal from the competition in August.

The situation took a more serious turn when Tommy Makhode, a senior official in the department, revealed that Adetshina's case has been handed over to the Hawks, a police unit that deals with serious crimes. The Hawks have deemed it a “case of fraud.” Further action will depend on the prosecutors' decisions. Despite the backlash, Adetshina remains proud of her dual identity, expressing that she feels “proudly South African” and “proudly Nigerian.”

It's worth noting that Adetshina's mother is South African, which initially qualified her for South African citizenship. However, the allegations of identity theft and fraud have complicated the situation. As Adetshina prepares to represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe competition in Mexico, this controversy has sparked a broader conversation about citizenship, belonging, and identity in South Africa.

Chidimma Adetshina, a Soweto-born beauty queen, has arrived in Mexico to represent Nigeria in the upcoming Miss Universe competition on November 16. She will vie for the coveted title alongside contestants from around the globe, including Mia le Roux, the reigning Miss South Africa.

Adetshina's participation in the pageant comes amidst a swirling controversy surrounding her citizenship status in South Africa. The ongoing debate has shed light on deeper issues plaguing the nation, including identity, nationality, and xenophobia.

As Adetshina takes the international stage, her story sparks crucial conversations about belonging, citizenship, and the complexities of identity in South Africa. The beauty queen's journey underscores the challenges faced by individuals with dual or complex nationalities in a country grappling with xenophobic tensions.