Nigeria’s Oma Osele wins Miss Continental World 2026

Nigeria’s Oma Osele has won the Miss Continental World 2026 pageant, clinching the crown at the international beauty pageant held in Thailand.

Osele, a model and medical laboratory scientist, defeated contestants from over 20 countries to win the title at the grand finale in Ayutthaya on October 9.

India’s Shreeya Panda finished as the first runner-up, while Thailand’s Pornpaya Rianju emerged second runner-up.

The Nigerian also won the ‘Queen of Africa’ title, awarded to the highest-placed African contestant, and ‘Best National Costume’ for her cultural presentation outfit.

Her victory follows another milestone in September when she won the ‘World Premiere Award’ after topping the global fan vote on Eventista’s 1Vote platform.

Born Iruomachukwu Osele, the 28-year-old represented Nigeria at the competition after winning EliteGlam Pageant Nigeria 2025. She is also an entrepreneur and model from Lagos.

Nigeria recorded another strong result in the male category, with its representative, Unwana Sambo Essien, finishing third runner-up at the Mister Continental World 2026 competition held on the same night.

Thailand’s Karnajit Ningthoujam was crowned the winner of this year’s pageant in the men’s category.

Essien also won the ‘King of Kings’ title and ‘Best National Attire’ award in the male category.