BE INFORMED! Meet Grace Tinuke Oyelude The First Ever Miss Nigeria.

Miss Nigeria started as a photo contest in 1957. Contestants posted photographs of themselves to the Daily Times headquarters in Lagos where finalists were shortlisted; those successful were invited to compete in the live final which at the time did not include a swimsuit competition at the Lagos Island Club. UAC employee Grace Oyelude won the maiden edition of Miss Nigeria, and would later use part of her £200 prize money to travel to England where she studied Nursing.

Contrary to popular belief, Julie Coker was not the first Miss Nigeria – she was Miss Western Nigeria but used the ‘Miss Nigeria’ title during official engagements abroad.