Annie Shaka
18-year-old Shatu Garko beat 18 Miss Nigeria contestants to win the 44th edition of Miss Nigeria on December 17, 2021.
The beautiful Shatu’s impressive win didn’t stop there; she’s also the first hijabi to be crowned Miss Nigeria. The call for applications commenced in October. By December 7, over a thousand applicants were whittled down to 18 semi-finalists who made it to the Miss Nigeria boot camp.
The grand finale was held in Landmark Centre, Victoria Island Lagos. The event was graced by several celebrities, fashionistas, designers and industry gurus.
The judging panel consisted of Rita Dominic, Lanre Da Silva, Aisha Abba Kyari and 2013 Miss Nigeria winner, Ezinne Akudo amongst other notable names. All 18 contestants stepped out in identical shimmering layered, tasselled dresses to start the event. Shatu paired her look with a black turtleneck shirt in modest fashion, topped with a turban.
After a brief introduction, all 18 contestants presented a dance number to Simi’s Fela inspired song titled ‘Woman.’ For the cultural presentation, Shatu put on a beautiful green patterned dress with a silky pink floor-length hooded shawl draped over her head and shoulder as she performed her traditional Hausa dance. She danced alongside other contestants equally dressed in their traditional attire.
Shatu received her crown in a Rikatobyme nude coloured dress, covered in shimmering green and turquoise embellishments with large gemstones adorning the collar. She topped the look with a matching turban and dangling gemstone earrings.
While Miss Nigeria is a popular platform for showcasing the beauty of Nigerian women and their many talents, you don’t see many hijabi women taking the stage. Especially in this part of the world where religion plays a crucial role and governs how many live their lives.
As an indigene of Kano State, Shatu represented the North-West zone. She took the Miss Nigeria stage to prove religious and cultural differences should not hinder following one’s dreams. Whatever cultural or ethnic beliefs people may live by, Shatu’s crown symbolises the diversity and unity the pageant sought to bring out.
Her remarkable win as the youngest winner since the pageant’s inception will surely inspire young girls like herself not to shy away from chasing their dreams. It’ll also give them the confidence to take up big platforms like the Miss Nigeria pageant, regardless of their ethnic or social beliefs.
Eighteen contestants started the night, but after an impressive display of grace, beauty, talent and intelligence, Shatu was finally crowned the winner. Nicole Ikot emerged as the first runner up, and Kasarachi Okoro emerged as the second runner up.
Shatu succeeds Etsanyi Takura, the Taraba born beauty and 43rd Miss Nigeria 2019. Besides the coveted crown, Shatu was awarded the winning prize of ₦10 million, an ambassadorship deal, a luxury apartment and a car. A remarkable win for the 18-year-old.
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