A past video featuring Chidimma Adetshina expressing her Nigerian heritage has reappeared online, coinciding with the intensification of her legal fight against deportation.
This footage was initially captured in 2024, following her victory in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, and not long after she had withdrawn from the Miss South Africa competition.
Public opinion in South Africa is notably split regarding the implications of her “proudly Nigerian” statements for her ongoing efforts to stay in the nation.
A video showing Chidimma Adetshina fervently asserting her Nigerian identity has once again gained traction online, appearing at a particularly critical juncture. The reappearance of this footage occurs as the former pageant winner is engaged in a legal struggle to stop the Department of Home Affairs from sending her back to Nigeria.
This recording dates back to 2024, captured after Adetshina secured the Miss Universe Nigeria title. Its initial release followed a period of considerable tension: she had previously withdrawn from Miss South Africa due to intense scrutiny regarding her Nigerian background, prior to traveling to Nigeria for the competition.
Within the video, Adetshina expresses her identity without reservation.
“I do feel like I was Nigerian, and I’ve always felt Nigerian from the moment I was born; it’s not just because of the opportunity that was presented to me. I think people who know me know that I’ve always embodied that spirit of being a proudly Nigerian woman. I don’t want people to feel like, ‘She only feels Nigerian just because she was offered an opportunity.’ I’ve always been proudly Nigerian.”
The reappearance of this video is directly connected to Adetshina’s ongoing legal challenges. She faced arrest in Cape Town in June 2026 when officials discovered that she and her young son were living in South Africa without proper documents. Her court hearing has been rescheduled to August 19, as her legal representatives contest the Home Affairs department’s decision to deport her.
The re-emergence of the clip intensified an existing contentious discussion, as South Africans interpreted it in relation to her immigration standing.
Earlier reports indicated that Chidimma’s pursuit of South African citizenship had reportedly upset some Nigerians, who perceived it as a sign of ingratitude for their support.
Online responses were quite varied. A prominent segment of the public believed the video’s content was self-explanatory.
“This girl is really good at scamming.”
“Proudly Nigerian Chidimma must go live in Nigeria.”
Conversely, other individuals strongly disagreed, asserting that national pride and legal citizenship are not necessarily incompatible.
“She can be proudly Nigerian AND a South African citizen. Two things can be true at the same time.”
ThabisoGoba2 offered a defense of Adetshina:
“Chidimma was born, raised, studied and has lived her entire life in South Africa. I think it would be grossly inhumane to deport her to Nigeria, a country she doesn’t know. Yes, if she broke the law or did something wrong, she must be sanctioned accordingly, but not deported.”
“Being proudly Nigerian and proudly South African are not mutually exclusive. Embracing her father’s roots after winning doesn’t erase where she was born and raised. Watch the full interview; she has always embraced her dual heritage!”
According to a previous report, Chidimma Adetshina was reportedly determined and prepared to contend for South African citizenship.
The well-known beauty queen posted on social media, stating her refusal to give up, even while experiencing exhaustion and depression.
