- KAFTAN Post spotlight Interview with Somtochukwu Maduagwu, 2023 Miss World Tourism Nigeria.
Eloquent, intelligent, and beautiful are some of the many words that can be used to describe 2023 Miss World Tourism Nigeria, Somtochukwu Maduagwu. She emerged with the coveted title in the pageant dubbed “Game of Crowns” for its 11th season. Held at Rushing Tap Studios in Lekki, Lagos, the Miss Tourism Nigeria event crowned four beauty Queens in one night. Organizers certainly pushed the boundaries of pageantry beyond catwalk, glitz, and glam to test for special strength in cooking, fitness, arts, and cultural awareness.
Somtochukwu speaks on her journey, motivation, and the tremendous support she received to become Miss World Tourism Nigeria. She also shed light on some misconceptions about pageantry, ultimately presenting a revolutionary stance on feminism and the difference it makes for up-and-coming female political figures.
The most enlightening are her views on political willpower and the importance of intelligence and diplomacy on the journey to becoming a beauty queen. In this interview with KAFTAN POST, she speaks about her journey to becoming Miss World Tourism Nigeria and her next chapter.
KAFTAN Post: Can we meet you? – Who is Sommie Maduagwu
Sommie: I’m an Ada (The First Daughter of an Igbo family). I’m from Agulu in Anambra State. I’m a lawyer, a commercial model, and an aspiring politician. My favorite color is pink. I love God, looking good, creating value, 90s R&B, and desserts.
KAFTAN Post: What motivated you to sign up for the Miss Tourism Nigeria Pageant? Share your journey as a beauty Queen.
Sommie: I have always been fascinated by pageantry but never imagined I would ever participate. From Agbani Darego to Bianca Ojukwu and Sylvia Nduka, I couldn’t but admire the grace and confidence they embodied. Growing up Nigerian, your future is pretty much cut out for you; conventional degree and job. I am everything but conventional; on introspection, I tried to deny the fact. As I have gotten to know myself more deeply and after talking to God, I concluded it would be advantageous to get the name recognition required for politics and allow me to showcase my beauty, style, personality, and opinions. Like I’ve said a million times, I’ll represent Nigeria in China! That makes me so so proud, and I can’t wait. I am called to make an impact in Nigeria, and I will use my God-given gifts to do that; that’s what all this is about.
KAFTAN Post: Tell us about getting ready for D-Day. What were you most excited about, and how did you feel hearing your name being called among the winners?!
Sommie: Getting ready for D-Day was no joke. I had to work out 4-5 times a week, and I got catwalk lessons from a coach before going to the camp. There was a long list of outfits required for camp and the competition—most of which I entrusted to my dear friend and designer Omobola Oyeniyin of MBN Designs. From fabric sourcing to sketching, consultations, and beauty treatments, preparation was intense but also fun. Honestly, I was not surprised to hear my name. I expected it because it was God’s promise that I would always emerge victorious, and more so, I had done the work.
KAFTAN Post: Media narratives worldwide carry negative stereotypes about pageantry, e.g., sexualizing models and the expectation that pageantry is for unintelligent young women. Briefly describe how this phenomenon appeared on your path and any other obstacles/challenges you face as a beauty Queen. What has your experience been like?
Sommie: Quite the contrary. To be a pageant Queen, you must have a lovely smile, be polite, be welcoming, be well-spoken, and be able to command a crowd. You must also be intelligent and diplomatic. That’s why there is always a question round to determine the winner of a pageant. It is more about intelligence, eloquence, and how your personality shines through on stage. Of course, I’ve heard these rumors and was curious, but my experience was the opposite. During the camp, we had sessions with the Creative Director of Infoworld Charming, we fondly call him Mr. Smart, and he challenged us to answer questions on vast social issues in the most accurate, unbiased, eloquent, and personalized way possible. It is an art form that he has beautifully mastered, and most pageant girls have to master. I believe those stereotypes are borne out of misogyny lol. It takes real beauty and brains to be a pageant girl.
KAFTAN Post: Please share your views on feminism in Nigeria. Do you identify as a feminist, and (if yes) how does this shape your experience as a beauty queen in a supposedly patriarchal/misogynist society like Nigeria?
Sommie: I am a feminist through and through. We should all be. As a beauty queen, it definitely piles on the responsibility to actively advocate for women’s rights. I feel like a lot of people confuse feminism and misandry in Nigeria, and this gives feminism a bad rap and is probably why some men still oppose the concept. As a newly minted beauty queen lol, I’m at a place where I believe in educating with love, and I encourage other feminists to do the same. I have drawn a lot of strength from my femininity on this journey and will continue to do so. Someday soon, by the grace of God, the concept of feminism will be extinct because we will live in a fair world.
KAFTAN Post: Describe your educational background and any other personal, academic, or professional experience that helps shape your worldview about pageantry.
Sommie: My education was quite conservative. I attended Montessori International Primary School in Port Harcourt. For Secondary School, I attended a single-sex catholic school in Benin City, Presentation National High School. I obtained my LLB from the University of Surrey, Guildford, and attended Bwari Law School shortly after. I am a student at the School of Politics, Policy, and Governance, founded by Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwisili. I hope to start a master’s program in Policy Analysis this September.
KAFTAN Post: You’re a School of Politics, Policy, and Governance student. How do you articulate that your position as the current Miss World Tourism Nigeria can add value to Nigeria’s political system? Describe the impact this will have on the tourism sector.
Sommie: At the School of Politics Policy and Governance, we are taught to think disruptively and to focus on value addition and data-backed facts in problem-solving. Many ideas I have for projects have been drawn from class. The strategic thinking required and the network of individuals necessary for execution are all benefits of the SPPG and FixPolitics family. As Miss World Tourism Nigeria, I must partner with relevant Government bodies and even private collaborators to sustainably optimize tourism in Nigeria for economic growth. I have ideas for a Craft village and museum in Anambra State, curating enjoyable experiences and content around existing tourist sites in Nigeria. It is daunting, but I’m so excited to get started.
KAFTAN Post: Please help us understand the functional difference between Miss Tourism Nigeria, Miss World Tourism Nigeria, Miss Tourism Africa Nigeria, and Miss Glam World Nigeria.
Sommie: Miss Tourism Nigeria – is a National Pageant run by QHUE Concepts headed by Mr. Santiago Roberts and the CEO of Miss Tourism Nigeria Bunmi Diamond; the pageant focuses on showcasing Nigerian culture and promoting tourism. The top 4 delegates from Miss Tourism Nigeria go on to represent Nigeria at Miss World Tourism, Miss Tourism World, Miss Glam World, and Miss Tourism Africa. The pageants rank in the order above. The 11th Miss Tourism Nigeria, Miss Joy Ebere, is already getting set for the Miss World Tourism Pageant in Sri Lanka this July. I will be representing Nigeria at the 40th Miss Tourism World in China. Last year, the 10th Miss Tourism Nigeria historically placed 4th during the 39th edition, so I have massive shoes to fill, but no pressure…The Miss Glam pageant will be held next year in India, and this year, Miss Tourism Africa will be held in Nigeria. Exciting, isn’t it?
KAFTAN Post: Do you plan to run for political office in the future? If yes, briefly describe this role and your intentions for the future.
Sommie: Absolutely. Everything I’m doing at the moment is a build-up to that moment. Being a lawyer, I am best positioned to be a lawmaker. It’s what piques my interest, and I believe I would be good at it. I want to be the Senator representing Anambra Central sometime in the future. Nonetheless, knowing what I know now about Nigerian Politics and its unpredictability, I have accepted that any opportunity to impact my country will be great, even if it is not the opportunity I desire most. I’ve learned to take advantage of every opportunity to showcase my capacity.
KAFTAN Post: Are there specific persons/groups supporting you on this journey that you want to acknowledge? Please let us know those you consider to be your biggest cheerleaders.
Sommie: I would love to thank my Queen, my dear mother, Mrs. Anne Maduagwu, for her unconditional love, and My best friend, Onomen Uadiale (this title is for both of us). My dad – for finally getting comfortable with all this, and my little brother and sister Osi Maduagwu and Divine Maduagwu. My sisters Timeyin Dabor, Edwina Ogbu, Mobola Oyeniyin, Maureen Amadi, Julia, and Chinenye. My big sisters Mosun Akinsomi, Tosin Akinsomi, Sabrina Okoh, Aisha Usman, and Ose Okojie, for tending to my last-minute requests. Also, thank my mentors Joyce Daniels, Jiro Ejobe, and Tijani Nwadei for reassuring me. My PNHS sisters, VIISAUS family, and PH family; shoutout to Kioba Briggs. Lastly, thanks to my SPPG family Comfort Onyaga, Sir Paul Abbey, Bernard Isidore, and Evelyn Dan Epelle!
KAFTAN Post: Share your favorite quote or guiding philosophy. Here’s a chance to motivate up-and-coming beauty Queens!
Sommie: My guiding principles in life are;
- Love God and be kind to others
- Always be true to yourself
- Do it Afraid
- Be Prepared
Watch the final moments from the Miss Tourism Nigeria event on June 11, 2023, via Instagram.
