MBGO 2026: 10 contestants qualify for Grand Finale as voting begins

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

Association of Models in Nigeria, organisers of the Most Beautiful Girl in Ogun State (MBGO) 2026 pageant, has announced 10 contestants who qualified for the voting stage following a screening exercise that reduced the initial 20 participants to 10 finalists.

The organisers, in a statement issued on September 30, said the official voting stage commenced on October 1, 2026, ahead of the grand finale scheduled for November 21 at the June 12 Cultural Event Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The qualified contestants represent Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Obafemi Owode, Imeko-Afon, Ogun Waterside, Ipokia, Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu North, Remo and Yewa.

According to the organisers, the contestants will compete for public support and votes as they seek to emerge winner of the competition and represent their respective local government areas.

The association called on family members, friends, residents, indigenes of Ogun State and other supporters to participate in the voting process and mobilise support for their preferred contestants.

It explained that the competition goes beyond physical beauty, describing it as a platform for promoting cultural heritage, tourism, leadership, entrepreneurship and the empowerment of young women across the state.

The organisers said the pageant was designed to provide contestants with opportunities to showcase their talents, intelligence, confidence and commitment to community development.

They added that each contestant represents a local government area, making the competition an opportunity for communities across Ogun State to celebrate their identity and participate in the contest.

Following the voting stage, the successful contestants are expected to proceed to camp for training, activities and preparations ahead of the grand finale.

The eventual winner will represent Ogun State at a national and potentially international pageant platform, subject to the competition’s official arrangements, while serving as an ambassador for the state’s cultural heritage, tourism and youth empowerment initiatives.

The organisers described MBGO as an initiative aimed at discovering and empowering young women, celebrating the identity of local communities and showcasing Ogun State’s cultural heritage to a wider audience.

They also appealed to corporate organisations, community leaders, residents and lovers of culture to support the contestants throughout the competition.