Today we’d like to introduce you to Oluchi Madubuike.
Hi Oluchi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a little girl, I had always dreamed of being a pageant queen, and it is a dream I shared with my late father. I remember watching when Abgani Darego won the Miss World crown in 2001 with my dad in the living room and telling my dad I wanted to be just like her; he said he believed I could do and be anyone I wanted to in life. His belief in me and that conversation have forever shaped me into the confident and resilient woman I’ve grown to become. I eventually started my pageantry journey in 2012, a year after his demise, and have gone to participate in a total of 5 pageants coming out as the winner of 3 out of 5. It’s been an amazing and life-changing journey thus far.
After having just handed over my crown last year, I would describe my reign in 4 words fulfilling, authentic, refreshing, and inspiring. It was fulfilling to me because I was able to achieve a lifelong dream whilst making myself, my loved ones, my country, friends, and supporters very proud. It was authentic because every step of the way, I remained true to who I am. I upheld my faith, my values, and beliefs along this journey. Doing my best to execute my projects within my means. It was refreshing to be too able to redefine what it means to be a beauty queen. I believe I left a mark that showcases a new standard of what it entails to be the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN). A standard that displays not just external beauty but one that emphasizes the holistic and well-rounded nature of a true queen. Lastly, it was inspiring as I served as an inspiration to many around the world, encouraging them to work hard, dream big, and have the courage to not just follow but fulfill their dreams.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey wasn’t smooth at all. I’ve gone through a fair share of imposter syndrome on this journey. I struggled trying to conquer my mind at different points on this road when I was feeling insecure about my appearance or my capabilities. Sometimes when you’re put in a room with other people who are just as talented as you are, you start to question yourself because you feel like you don’t or can’t match up. You have to be very aware of who you are to be able to muster the confidence and courage to still show up, irrespective of the uncertainties or anxiety you may be feel during the process.
My other great challenge was managing my time efficiently to fulfill all my commitments. Balancing my full-time career as a registered nurse while making active effort to complete my duties and projects as MBGN was no easy feat but genuinely took it one day at a time and did the best I could.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a beauty, fashion, health, and lifestyle enthusiast. I describe myself as a strong, beautiful, and multifaceted individual who balances life as a full-time ICU Nurse, a beauty queen, entrepreneur as well as an innovative content creator. I am definitely an epitome of God’s work, and I am extremely proud of my ability to navigate life with an optimistic, purpose-driven, and positive outlook. Some of my greatest accomplishments include obtaining my honors bachelor of nursing degree at the age of 21 as well as being crowned Most beautiful girl in Nigeria 2021, aka Miss World Nigeria 2021. Winning this pageant and becoming MBGN was a success story in and of itself. I took a leap of faith, moving back to Nigeria to compete at this prestigious pageant. Then following my win, I was given the opportunity to not just be a local advocate but an international ambassador for the SILVERBIRD organization and, ultimately my country Nigeria. Baring the name Nigeria across my chest at the prestigious Miss World pageant in December 2021 (The same one Agbani Darego had won 20 years prior) was truly history in the making. An experience I will forever be grateful for, irrespective of the outcome.
On this journey, I’ve learnt what Lao Tzu meant when he said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” I took the first step when I was crowned as MBGN/Miss World Nigeria 2021. I have since taken many more steps that have compounded into creating an experience of a lifetime. The key point to conquering a thousand miles to be present on the journey. Don’t just focus on the destination but rather on making an intentional effort to participate and take another step every day.
My next step is to continue to soar, to live boldly and audaciously according to God’s will for my life. I hope to carry on with the humanitarian work that I’ve started and to continue to fulfill my greatest desire of living a purpose-driven life where I remain an inspiration and a source of positivity, light, and love to others.
To anyone who shares this same dream or even a different dream that may seem far out of reach, please embrace this opportunity in its entirety. It is imperative that you actively choose to participate and live each day on this journey. Do not just exist, do not just be a bystander in your own life. Be intentional, be courageous, be devoted, be humble, be compassionate but most importantly, be yourself. Trust that God’s plan will always be better than yours, so go into this experience excited for whatever that looks like. God has many big plans that only Him can help you fulfill. He put that dream or imagination in your mind because that is the life, He can give you with no limitations. Most times others may not be able to see the vision, but it is your duty to do it and show them. Pursuing your dreams will always be a unique experience for each one of us, and I’m so grateful for your choice to embark on this life-changing journey.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I am grateful to God, first and foremost for His continued faithfulness in my life and for the journey. I am especially grateful to the Ben Bruce, Guy, and Ann Bruce, as well as the entire SILVERBIRD organization for the life-changing opportunity that allowed me make history, represent my county, and has put my name in rooms I never thought they’d be in. I’m grateful for my support system, most especially my mom Udoka Madubuike, Madam Alice Ajeh, and my pastor, Pastor Lilian, for their support, spiritual guidance, and love. I’m grateful for my brothers, my extended family, friends, supporters and sponsors for their involvement and support on this journey. My team: Chigo, Favour, Sola, Mide, and David held me down!!! They were truly my rocks on the journey and deserve all the credit. They believed in me every step of the way and never let me doubt that I could accomplish everything that I was working towards. It truly takes a village!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_oluchi
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/OluchiM
Image Credits
@deee_porter
@tobi.olajolo
@panache_imagery
@momudumedia
