Nigeria’s representative at the 2026 Miss World pageant, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, has finished in the Top 12, ending her bid for the crown at the 73rd edition of the international pageant.

Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, progressed through several stages of the competition before her journey ended at the Top 12.

Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic emerged winner at the grand finale held on Saturday at the April 2 Square in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Mola’s victory marked the second time the Dominican Republic has produced a Miss World, following Mariasela Álvarez’s triumph in 1982.

She succeeded Thailand’s Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri, winner of the 2025 edition, who crowned her successor at the finale.

Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés Alabern emerged first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty finished as second runner-up. Chetty also won the Beauty with a Purpose award for her social impact work.

Karibi-George had earlier secured an automatic place in the Top 40 after winning the Africa Top Model title at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest.

She defeated representatives from Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya and South Africa to claim the continental modelling title.

The Nigerian contestant subsequently advanced to the Top 20 and later the Top 12 before her campaign came to an end.

The other contestants who made the Top 12 but failed to progress to the final six included representatives from Brazil, France, the Philippines, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The final six contestants were Mola of the Dominican Republic, Reynés of Spain, Chetty of Malaysia, Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc of Vietnam, Romanda Hombir of South Africa and Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin of Eritrea.

Mola, 24, is a literature and social studies teacher, professional model, news correspondent and community advocate. She holds a degree in Business Management and Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana.

She is also the founder of Voices of Tomorrow, an initiative focused on providing English-language education to children and young people in vulnerable communities.

Her advocacy for access to education featured prominently during the competition and was central to her presentation in the final stage.

Mola had earlier won the Americas and Caribbean Top Model title, earning an automatic place in the Top 40.

For Nigeria, Karibi-George’s Top 12 finish represented a strong performance on the international stage.

The 26-year-old, who hails from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, represented Bayelsa State at the national pageant. She was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 in June at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, succeeding Joy Mojisola Raimi, who reached the Top 20 at the 2025 Miss World pageant.

Karibi-George is a communications professional, model, actress, voice-over artist, event host and scriptwriter.

She is also the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative focused on inclusion, dignity, education and empowerment for children with disabilities, special needs and neurodivergent individuals.

During the competition, she participated in the Head-to-Head Challenge and Talent Competition, where she performed “Opportunity” by Sia.

She also showcased Nigerian culture through a series of outfits highlighting the Niger Delta and its environmental and cultural heritage.

One of her notable outfits, the “Amazon of the Mangrove” costume, was designed to highlight environmental resilience and women’s strength. She also appeared in a green-white-green evening gown inspired by Nigeria’s national colours.

The 2026 Miss World pageant featured 111 contestants divided into four continental groups: Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Europe, and Asia and Oceania.

Contestants progressed through various stages, including fast-track challenges and the Top 40, Top 20, Top 12 and Top Six rounds before the winner and runners-up were determined.

The 2026 edition marked the first time Vietnam hosted the Miss World competition and coincided with the organisation’s 75th anniversary.

Following Mola’s crowning, the 74th edition of the Miss World pageant is scheduled to take place in Tanzania in 2027