Organisers of the Face of Edo Beauty Pageant have announced plans to celebrate the platform’s 20th anniversary in 2026, alongside the 16th edition of the Face of the World Nigeria Beauty Pageant, tagged the “Akpako Rescue Edition.”

The Face of the World Nigeria grand finale is scheduled to hold on November 7, 2026, and is expected to bring together contestants from across the country under a theme centred on social impact, youth empowerment and humanitarian service.

Speaking on the upcoming events, the organisers said the twin celebrations would showcase two decades of cultural preservation, leadership development, and community interventions aimed at improving the lives of women, youths and families of security personnel across Nigeria.

Founded in 2006, Face of Edo has evolved into a prominent cultural and leadership platform in Edo State, producing entrepreneurs, media professionals, educators and public servants who have made significant contributions in various sectors.

According to the organisers, the 20th anniversary celebration will honour past winners and participants while promoting Edo cultural heritage through arts, entertainment and community development projects across the state’s 18 local government areas.

The Face of the World Nigeria 2026 competition, themed the “Akpako Rescue Edition,” is designed to use pageantry as a platform for addressing societal challenges, including unemployment, healthcare access, educational inequality and support for families of military and police personnel.

The organisers disclosed that Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has expressed support for the initiative and pledged assistance towards making the event a showcase of Edo hospitality and the vision behind the Akpako Rescue project.

As part of its outreach programmes, the pageant will launch the Akpako Skills Rescue Initiative, aimed at equipping more than 500 young women and girls with vocational and digital skills. Other planned interventions include free medical outreaches, mental health support services, scholarships and educational materials for underserved pupils, as well as empowerment programmes for families of serving and retired members of the Armed Forces and the Police.

A major highlight of the celebrations will be the participation of Blessing Joan Oaikhena, the reigning Face of the World Nigeria Queen 2026/2027 and Convener of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Police Family Appreciation Day.

Oaikhena is expected to serve as Guest Advocate during the Face of Edo 20th Anniversary celebration and will headline the Face of the World Nigeria finals before representing Nigeria at the global finals of the Face of the World Beauty Pageant.

Speaking on her role, Oaikhena stressed the importance of leveraging pageantry as a vehicle for social transformation, particularly in advancing the welfare of women, youths and families of security personnel.

The international pageant is organised by the Divine Smiles Foundation International, a non-governmental organisation founded by philanthropist and peace ambassador, Prince Eerik A. Odigie. The foundation has spent more than two decades promoting peace, education and humanitarian causes through pageantry and community development initiatives.

Organisers said the collaboration between Face of Edo, Face of the World Nigeria and Divine Smiles Foundation International reflects a growing trend toward impact-driven pageantry, where beauty contests serve as platforms for advocacy, empowerment and measurable social change.

They expressed confidence that the convergence of the Face of Edo 20th anniversary and the 16th edition of Face of the World Nigeria in 2026 would set a new benchmark for community engagement and humanitarian service within Nigeria’s pageantry industry.