Why we empowering young women through beauty and intellect – Divine Johnson
The Most Beautiful Campus Queen (MBCQ) pageant, Nigeria’s premier inter-campus beauty competition, is marking its fifth anniversary this year, having provided a transformative platform for young women since its inception in 2019.
Founded by Divine Future Johnson, the CEO of Campus models worldwide, MBCQ was created with the goal of celebrating creativity, resilience, and intellect among undergraduates and recent graduates, while also encouraging young women to pursue education, careers, and their personal aspirations.
The pageant, which is open to students and recent graduates from universities across Nigeria, begins with auditions, from which the top 50 contestants are selected.
Public voting then determines the final 30 participants. Throughout the competition, contestants engage in weekly humanitarian tasks designed to highlight their social consciousness and commitment to community service. The pageant culminates in a grand finale, where the Most Beautiful Campus Queen is crowned.
MBCQ has achieved notable success in its short history, producing several remarkable individuals who have gone on to achieve significant accomplishments.
One of the most notable winners, Ololade Ayelabola, who was crowned in 2021, went on to set a Guinness World Record and represented Nigeria at the Miss Teen Globe International pageant in Paraguay in 2023. Ayelabola’s success has served as an inspiration to many young women pursuing both academic and professional excellence.
Over the past five years, MBCQ has crowned several outstanding women, each representing their universities with grace and intelligence. The list of winners includes Victoria Akingbade from Olabisi Onabanjo University (2019/2020), Ololade Ayelabola from the University of Lagos (2021), Tajeruo Faith from the University of Benin (2022), and the joint winners of 2023, Felicity Akuewanbhor from Ambrose Ali University and Agbahovbe Orevaoghene from the University of Benin. The 2024 winner is Favour Atoe from the Federal University Otuoke.
As MBCQ celebrates its fifth anniversary, the pageant continues to serve as a beacon of empowerment for young women, providing them with opportunities to grow intellectually, make meaningful connections, and contribute to their communities while pursuing their dreams.
