By Benjamin Njoku

Preparations for the grand finale of Miss Tourism Nigeria 2026 are in full swing, with over 1,000 entries received in earnest.

The top three winners will represent Nigeria at Miss Tourism World in China, Miss Cosmo in Vietnam, and Miss Tourism Africa.

Organizers said the high quality of contestants made it difficult to narrow the pool. Instead, they opened a “Tourism in My State” video challenge, giving contestants a platform to highlight attractions in their states through 90-second videos. The challenge drew strong public engagement, with viewers sharing, rating, and reviewing the entries.

According to Collete Nwadike, CEO of the pageant and National Director for Miss Tourism World, Miss Cosmo Nigeria, and Miss Tourism Africa, the response has exceeded expectations.

“We are overwhelmed by both the quantity and quality of entries,” Nwadike said.

“The video challenge opened people’s eyes to what many states have to offer but haven’t showcased. It’s clear we’ll have a great outing this year, and I invite corporate bodies to partner with us and tap into the opportunities Miss Tourism Nigeria 2026 presents.”

Organizers also announced a final wildcard window for early applicants who missed follow-up communication due to unforeseen circumstances. Affected applicants can send a direct message to be considered.

Officials stressed that the wildcard does not affect the current delegate pool, and selection will remain based on merit, effort, and completion of required stages.

“The Game of Crowns continues,” the statement read.