Miss World 2026: Nigeria’s Karibi-George Finishes Top 12 as Dominican Republic Wins

Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss World 2026 on Saturday, September 5, at the grand finale of the 73rd edition of the pageant, held at April 2nd Square in Nha Trang, Vietnam. 

Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés Alabern was named first runner-up, and Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty was named second runner-up, with Chetty also winning the Beauty With a Purpose award for her social impact work.

Nigeria’s representative, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, finished among the Top 12, closing out a month-long run at the festival that began on August 9. 

Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, had earlier secured an automatic place in the Top 40 by winning the Top Model for Africa title at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest, beating out contestants from Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, and South Africa. 

She went on to advance through the Top 20 before her run ended at the Top 12 stage, falling just short of the final six, which comprised Mola, Reynés Alabern, Chetty, Vietnam’s Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc, South Africa’s Romanda Hombir, and Eritrea’s Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin.

Karibi-George, 26, was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 in June at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos, representing Bayelsa State at the national pageant despite hailing from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. 

She succeeded Joy Mojisola Raimi, who had reached the Top 20 at the 2025 edition. 

A communications professional, model, actress, voice-over artist, event host, and scriptwriter, Karibi-George used her platform throughout the festival to highlight her advocacy initiative, Beyond Labels, which promotes inclusion and opportunities for children with disabilities and special needs. She also drew attention online for a viral clip of her singing during the competition.

Mola, 24, is a literature and social studies teacher, professional model, news correspondent, and community advocate who holds a degree in Business Management and Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana. 

She founded Voices of Tomorrow, an initiative providing English-language education to children and young people in vulnerable communities, and succeeds Thailand’s Suchata Chuangsri as titleholder. 

Her win marks only the second time the Dominican Republic has produced a Miss World winner, following Mariasela Álvarez’s victory in 1982.