Meet Ugochi Ihezue, The Beauty Queen Representing Nigeria At Miss Universe 2023

Eighty-four beauty queens will be contesting for the Miss Universe crown, with Ugochi Mitchel Ihueze, Miss Universe Nigeria, representing Nigeria on the global stage on November 18, 2023.

The 27-year-old model, who hails from Idaeto North, Imo State, had previously been crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) in 2017 after simultaneously being crowned Model of the Year at the pageantry, thereby making Nigerian pageantry history as the first woman to claim both beauty titles.

Beyond the glitz and glamour, Mitchel is known for her professional achievements as she graduated from the University of Benin with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine and Applied Arts. She also has an MBA from Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University and another from IÉSEG School of Management, one of the top Business Schools in France, ranked 21st in the world by the Financial Times.

For Mitchel, her academic and social pursuits serve as a form of advocacy for women to break free from societal constraints and embrace the limitless possibilities available to them. This move has not only equipped her with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the business world but also to represent her country, Nigeria, on the world stage.

Although she did not win the Miss World contest in China, she emerged as Miss World Top Model 2017, amongst other feats at the time. As a new phase beckons, she stands the opportunity to represent Nigeria alongside other African beauty queens like Ana Barbara Da Silva Coimbra, Issie Princess, Mohra Tantawy, Diana-Lita Hinestrosa Eraul, Tatiana Beauharnais, Jameela Uiras, Bryoni Natalie Govender, and Brooke Bruk-Jackson.

Miss Universe 2023 will be held in El Salvador, Central America. The last time the country hosted the pageant was in 1975. At the end of the evening, the current Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel will crown her new successor, who will get the opportunity to showcase the social causes they support in front of the world.

Furthermore, for the first time in 66 years, the Miss Universe Organisation will allow married women and women with children to compete.