Nigeria’s Oma Esele makes history at Miss Continental World 2026

Nigerian beauty queen Oma Osele has taken the crown at the Miss Continental World 2026 pageant that took place in Ayutthaya, Thailand.

Osele beat other participants from around the globe to claim the crown, while Shreeya Panda from India came second runner up.

The 28 year old medical laboratory scientist, entrepreneur and model from Lagos also won two special awards ahead of the final, taking home the Queen of Africa title for being the highest placed African contestant and the Best National Costume award.

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

Her journey to the crown gathered 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 came with a media package that included official social media promotion and an Associated Press News press release.

Nigeria also recorded a notable 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.

Essien 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 beauty pageants, including Chidimma Adetshina’s first runner up finish at Miss Universe 2024.

She is expected to return to Nigeria in the coming days.