Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire and the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS) officially launched the AYV and NUSS Miss University 2026 pageant on Thursday 16 July 2026 at the Freetown City Council Hall under the theme, “Redefining Beauty Through Purpose and Leadership”.
The event brought together Government officials, student leaders, development partners, sponsors, members of the diplomatic community, the media and students and was hosted by AYV presenters, Daniel Moore and Hannah Yankson.
Welcoming guests on behalf of AYV Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., Managing Director Umaru Fofanah said the pageant had been designed to promote leadership, purpose and youth empowerment rather than conventional standards of beauty. He noted that the choice of theme reflected the organizers’ vision of nurturing young women who can contribute meaningfully to national development. Umaru Fofanah also described the election of NUSS’ first female president as a significant milestone that reinforced the competition’s emphasis on women in leadership and youth empowerment.
Speaking at the launch, NUSS President, Fiona Ngima described the initiative as a movement aimed at redefining beauty by placing greater value on purpose, leadership and service. She said the competition would provide university students with a platform to demonstrate intellect, resilience, community service and leadership while challenging outdated perceptions that equate beauty with physical appearance alone. She encouraged female students across the country to seize the opportunity to develop their potential and become role models capable of inspiring positive change within their communities.
The reigning AYV Miss University Sierra Leone, Fatima Kamara said the platform had transformed her life by providing exposure, personal development and career opportunities. She noted that her experience had strengthened her confidence and leadership abilities, encouraging aspiring contestants to embrace the competition as an opportunity for growth regardless of the outcome. She expressed confidence that the 2026 edition would be more impactful and continue producing young women equipped to make meaningful contributions to society.
Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, pledged the Ministry’s full support for the initiative, describing the pageant as an effective platform for youth development, mentorship and leadership. He said his appreciation of pageantry had changed after recognizing its role in building confidence, discipline and positive social influence among young people.
The Youth Minister emphasized that contestants become role models whose conduct can inspire others and said the competition should be viewed as an avenue for developing leadership skills rather than simply showcasing physical beauty.
He also highlighted the economic opportunities within the fashion and creative industries, urging young women to embrace the platform as a pathway to career development while promoting Sierra Leone’s cultural heritage. The Minister announced that the Ministry of Youth Affairs would actively participate in activities leading to the competition and continue supporting programmes that empower young people.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Khadijatu Grace Kamara called for a shift in public attitudes towards beauty pageants, arguing that they should be recognized as platforms for leadership, national representation and cultural promotion rather than competitions based solely on appearance.
Drawing on her own experience as a former international beauty queen, she said pageantry had given her opportunities to represent her country, advocate for important causes and develop professionally. She pledged to mentor contestants throughout the competition and encouraged them to approach the pageant as an opportunity to serve, inspire and lead.
The Deputy Minister further stressed that contestants should proudly embrace their cultural identity and view themselves as ambassadors of Sierra Leone capable of promoting the country’s heritage on national and international platforms. She urged the public to support rather than criticize the contestants, noting that every participant would represent not only her university but also her community and the nation.
Khadijatu Grace Kamara concluded by encouraging contestants to wear the crown with responsibility, confidence and integrity, expressing optimism that the AYV and NUSS Miss University 2026 pageant would redefine beauty by placing purpose, leadership and national service at its centre while inspiring a new generation of empowered young women.
The launch concluded with the official unveiling of the AYV and NUSS Miss University 2026 programme, marking the beginning of activities leading to the competition. The initiative was widely commended as a timely platform that goes beyond celebrating beauty to promoting leadership, youth empowerment, academic excellence and national development.
If successfully implemented, the pageant has the potential to inspire a new generation of confident, purpose driven young women who will serve as ambassadors for their universities and Sierra Leone.
