Damilola Bolarinde Crowned Miss International Nigeria 2026 After Face Of Hope Victory

According to Ireporter Online, Lagos representative Damilola Bolarinde has emerged winner of the Face of Hope 2026 pageant, earning the coveted Miss International Nigeria 2026 title at a grand finale held on April 19, 2026, at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.

The competition featured contestants from across the country who participated in weeks of intensive training, assessment, and grooming exercises before the final showdown. At the end of the contest, Bolarinde clinched the crown, with Miss Anambra finishing as first runner-up and Miss Rivers placing as second runner-up.

Her victory secures her the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Miss International 2026 pageant scheduled to hold in Japan later in the year. The event also featured the presence of Catalina Duque of Colombia, the reigning Miss International 2025, who officially crowned the new queen.

Bolarinde distinguished herself early in the competition, winning the Day 1 Punctuality Award alongside a cash prize of N100,000. She also advanced to the final stage through strong public voting support.

Her reward package includes a Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, a cash prize of N10 million, a modelling contract, as well as professional training in catwalk and etiquette. The title further grants her international exposure, brand endorsement opportunities, and the responsibility of representing Nigeria on the global stage.

A seasoned model, Bolarinde previously won Miss Grand Nigeria 2022 and was first runner-up at Miss Universe Nigeria 2025. She is also the founder of “The Unconventional Quest,” an advocacy initiative aimed at encouraging young people to explore and pursue non-traditional career paths.

The Face of Hope pageant, themed “Her Flow Her Power,” is designed as a platform for beauty, empowerment, discipline, and personal development for young Nigerian women.