Nollywood stars, government officials, entrepreneurs and other high-profile personalities converged in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for the grand finale of the 2026 Miss Earth Nigeria beauty pageant, where 24-year-old Mercy Enenimiete Suoyo emerged as the new queen.
Suoyo, who hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, defeated 16 other contestants to claim the Silver Jubilee crown at the Palacio Event Center in GRA, Port Harcourt, in a ceremony that combined beauty, entertainment and environmental advocacy.
The new queen is a graduate of Linguistics and Communication Studies and is no stranger to the Miss Earth Nigeria platform. She previously competed in the pageant and emerged as Miss Earth Nigeria (Air) in 2021, before making a return to the competition five years later.
Her victory carries special significance as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Miss Earth Nigeria organisation. As the Silver Jubilee Queen, Suoyo will now carry Nigeria’s flag to the global Miss Earth competition while championing environmental causes.
At the heart of her advocacy is the restoration and protection of Nigeria’s mangrove ecosystems, particularly the preservation of coastal environments and the promotion of sustainable ecological practices. Her environmental campaign is expected to draw attention to the importance of mangroves in protecting coastal communities and supporting biodiversity.
The grand finale attracted strong government representation, with the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, represented by Dr Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB.
Also in attendance was Chief Boma Iyaye, Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, alongside other dignitaries from the public and development sectors. Entrepreneur and influencer Queen May Yul Edochie, through her brand QM Beauty Cosmetics, supported the event as an official sponsor and was present to cheer the contestants.
The entertainment industry was equally well represented, with Nollywood personalities including Zeb Ejiro, Monalisa Chinda, Hilda Dokubo and Uju Okoli among the notable guests who graced the occasion, adding glamour to the Silver Jubilee celebration.
The Miss Earth Nigeria organisation led by former beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima, also used the occasion to recognise individuals who have contributed to the growth of the pageant and supported Nigerian representatives on the international stage.
Among those honoured was Bishop Tony Marioghae, who received special recognition for his longstanding support and mentorship of Nigerian delegates during the global Miss Earth competition in the Philippines.
With her crowning, Mercy Suoyo begins a new chapter as Nigeria’s Miss Earth representative, with the dual responsibility of competing on the international stage and using her platform to promote mangrove conservation, coastal preservation and sustainable environmental practices.
