A new beauty contest, Miss NANS Nigeria, has been introduced to champion peace and discourage violence across higher institutions in the country.
The pageant is being organized by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in partnership with Messengers of Peace (MOP), an international peace-focused organization.
At a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, the organisers disclosed that the maiden edition would run under the theme “Sustaining Long-Lasting Peace through the Promotion of Decent/Violence-Free Learning Institutions.”
They further announced that the grand finale will hold in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after nationwide auditions to select representatives from different zones of the country.
Samson Adeyemi, NANS National Public Relations Officer, explained that the initiative is aimed at showcasing the intellect, leadership qualities, and peace-building capacity of students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
He pointed out that the chosen theme reflects the need to address pressing issues on campuses such as cultism, harassment, drug abuse, and other vices that hinder academic growth.
“Education can only thrive in a safe and stable environment. Through Miss NANS Nigeria, we intend to raise peace ambassadors who will champion campaigns for violence-free campuses,” Adeyemi stated.
He urged government agencies, academic institutions, civil society, and the general public to support the project as part of broader efforts to create a conducive learning environment.
Auditions are scheduled for three regions: Lagos for the South-West, Akwa Ibom for the South-South and South-East, and Abuja for all northern states.
From the screenings, 100 contestants will be shortlisted per zone before heading to a final audition, after which 100 participants will proceed to camp for the last stage in Abuja.
Out of the camp activities, 60 finalists will be chosen to compete in the grand finale. Judges will then select seven winners, one from each geopolitical zone and one overall crown bearer.
Prizes for the winners include ₦1 million and a laptop for each of the six runners-up, while the overall Miss NANS Nigeria 2025/2026 will take home ₦1 million and a brand-new car.
Dr. Suleiman Adejoh, National President of MOP, called on stakeholders and private organisations to back the initiative, describing it as a platform to promote peace, unity, and student participation in nation-building.
He added that the contest celebrates the “Beauty and Brain” concept, encouraging creativity, cultural pride, and leadership among undergraduates.
Adejoh noted that the inclusion of local dialects in the screening process would help preserve Nigeria’s indigenous languages, foster cultural identity, and ensure the pageant resonates with students from diverse backgrounds.