Nigerian beauty queen Oma Osele wins Miss Continental World 2026

Nigerian beauty queen Oma Osele has emerged winner of Miss Continental World 2026 after beating contestants from different countries at the grand finale in Ayutthaya, Thailand.

Osele was crowned at the international pageant, with India’s Shreeya Panda finishing as first runner-up.

The 28-year-old medical laboratory scientist, entrepreneur and model from Lagos also won two major special awards before the final night: Queen of Africa, for being the highest-placing African delegate, and Best National Attire, for her cultural costume.

She represented Nigeria at the competition after winning the EliteGlam Pageant Nigeria 2025.

Osele’s journey to the crown gained momentum in September when she won the World Premiere Award after topping the global fan vote on Eventista’s 1Vote platform. She finished ahead of India’s Monica Konjengbam and Thailand’s Pornpaya Rianju.

The award included a media package featuring an official social media campaign and an AP News press release.

Nigeria also recorded a strong result in the male category, as its representative, Unwana Sambo Essien, finished third runner-up at the Mister Continental World 2026 finals held on the same night. He also won the King of Kings title and the Best National Attire award in the male category.

Osele’s victory adds to Nigeria’s recent achievements in international pageantry, following Chidimma Adetshina’s first runner-up finish at Miss Universe 2024.