Despite being born and raised in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, her mixed heritage led some to question her eligibility, causing her to exit the competition.
South Africa’s Home Affairs Department alleging a potential “identity fraud” by Adetshina’s mother to secure South African citizenship further escalated the controversy.
The 22-year-old Adetshina, representing Nigeria’s Taraba state, competed against 24 other contestants in the pageant.
Ben Murray Bruce, a former Nigerian Senator and Chairman of Silverbird group – organizers of the event, said: “No Nigerian woman anywhere on earth who wants the platform to be successful, to get a fighting chance, that woman, that Nigerian, will never be denied that opportunity.”