Mr and Miss Unilag 2024: Celebrating Beauty, Talent, and Culture

By Barakat Lawal, Charles Maduka, Anthony Gift, and Testimony Olalekan.

Friday nights in Lagos often buzz with excitement and anticipation, but this particular Friday was unlike any other. The University of Lagos was set to crown its most deserving contestants in its annual pageant, Mr. and Miss Unilag.

The contest drew a large crowd of eager spectators who gathered around the venue to witness the university take on the arduous task of selecting its best male and female students to wear the crowns. It was a night of glitz and glamour, featuring performances from guest artists and cultural displays. The ambience was effervescent as spectators cheered for their favourites, dazzled with captivating choreography performances and talent shows, admist the brilliant display of corporate, sports, and traditional attires. 

Prominent members of the university and beyond were in attendance, including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folashade Ogunsola, and the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Musa Obalola. The crowning moment of the occasion was when Mr. Michael Adekola, a 400-level student from the Department of Chemistry, and Miss Haneefah Sanda, a 200-level student from the Department of Mass Communication, were declared the winners. 

The road to the Mr. and Miss Unilag titles was tedious, marked by weeks of preparations, including registrations, auditions, and training sessions. Contestants were judged based on intelligence, cultural knowledge, talent display, and eloquence. Mr Michael described the preparation for the event as strenuous, given his off-campus accommodation. “To be honest, it was a bit difficult. Mainly because I stay off campus and most times, I had to return home late at night. However, what made it less rigorous was that I am on an internship now, so I didn’t have to worry about classes and exams.”

He also spoke about his challenges. “Anxiety was my biggest challenge, I mean for as long as the first two days of rehearsals. When I first got in, I was a bit nervous, not because of the new faces I met but because I had participated in the previous contest and I didn’t make it. So, this time, I got in after the audition. I was a bit nervous about how I was going to win. I didn’t want to lose twice, even though there is no loser per se. Aside from this, it was a smooth preparation and I got support from my friends and family. Couldn’t complain a bit.”

On being announced the winner, Michael recalled how he had to keep his composure in the final rounds. “When we got reduced to the top five, I felt a bit of chill in my veins. Just before we were made to answer another round of questions, as soon as I answered my second question properly, I almost knew I was going to win. My fellow contestant friend who stood beside me was already saying, ‘Congrats, you’ve won.’ I knew I was going to win! But I had to maintain composure.”

As the new Mr Unilag, Michael plans to engage students in showcasing their talents to Nigeria and the world and sponsor a few students to a tech school for self-development. “I believe in talent and hard work so much that I would like to engage Unilag students to come out and showcase themselves to Nigeria and the world at large. It’s not clear to me if there is anything like ‘Unilag Got Talent’ or not. But Miss Unilag and I would try to create a platform like that, develop students, and promote the institution at the same time. This is a big part of my agenda. Among others, I also have plans to sponsor a few students to a tech school. It’s all based on self-development for the students, which is the main agenda.”

He also had a piece of advice for future contestants. “They should believe in themselves and know that there is no limit to what they can achieve. There is no such thing as failure but stepping stones; those wanting to participate in the next pageantry should seek fun first. There is no point in winning if there is no fun. Have fun, play your games right, have a strategy, and finally, don’t disrespect Lamu.”

Miss Haneefah Sanda, the winner of the female pageantry, delivered a stellar performance that captivated both the audience and the judges. Her beauty and intelligence shone throughout the contest, earning her the highest and most coveted crown.

Preparing for the pageant was intense yet rewarding. “It involved months of intense training in various aspects like fitness, interview skills, talent presentation, and stage presence. I had to maintain a disciplined schedule with workouts and rehearsals and still had to prioritize my studies. It was challenging but incredibly fulfilling as I grew personally and professionally throughout the process. And by God’s grace, all my hard work paid off.”

Miss Haneefah described her emotions on winning. “I felt fulfilled and it was emotional for me because all my loved ones were present to see me win, including my parents. I put a lot of effort into winning and, I was happy all my efforts were not in vain. She also highlighted her goals for students. “My goal is to make every student feel valued and supported. I want to create opportunities for personal growth, academic success, and community engagement by focusing on issues that matter to us all, like student welfare and social impact. I also hope to leave a lasting positive impact on our campus and inspire others to get involved and make a difference.”

Miss Haneefah also had a bit of advice for aspiring contestants. “Believe in yourself and your abilities. You have the power to achieve great things, you are capable of more than you think, push yourself beyond your limits and the sky will be your starting point.”

In addition to Michael and Haneefah, some other students were recognized and rewarded for their performances. For the female category, Jesutoni Olagumju, a 200-level student of the Department of Linguistics, African, and Asian Studies, emerged as the first runner-up and Genevieve Akwuobi, a 200-level student of Science and Technology, emerged as the second runner-up. For the male category, James Aderiye, a 300-level student of Chemistry Education, and Peter Onyekachukwu, a 200-level student of Adult Education, emerged as the first and second runners-up, respectively.