Faith Ekwebenam from Anambra State has been crowned Miss International Nigeria 2025, making her the country’s representative at the global Miss International contest in Japan.
The grand finale of the national event was held on Sunday, where Ekwebenam outshone her rivals to claim the crown. She will fly Nigeria’s flag at the 63rd Miss International pageant on November 27, 2025, at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Shibuya, Tokyo.
At the close of the competition, Miss Lagos emerged first runner-up, while Miss Bauchi, Miss Edo, Miss Cross River, and Miss Nasarawa placed second to fifth runners-up.
“This win is not just for me, but for every young Nigerian girl who believes her dreams are valid,” Ekwebenam said after receiving the crown.
Her victory continues Nigeria’s presence at Miss International, following Perpetual Ukadike, who represented the country in the 2024 edition.
In an unexpected twist, Anambra State also took centre stage at the Miss Universe Nigeria 2025 contest in Lagos, where Onyinyechi Basil clinched the crown. Basil won after a tense finale that left her standing beside Miss Lagos, Damilola Bolarinde, before being announced as winner.
Miss Bayelsa, Fortune Kurobo, placed second runner-up, while Miss Ogun, Irene Ikediashi, came in third runner-up.
The two crowns mean Anambra now holds both of Nigeria’s top international pageant titles for the first time, a milestone celebrated by pageant enthusiasts.
With Ekwebenam heading to Japan for Miss International and Basil preparing for Miss Universe later this year, supporters say Nigeria’s performance on the global stage will be closely watched.
