By Nimah Alabi
Winning Miss Nigerian Teen has brought a new level of attention and responsibility for Adewumi Samuel, who is still adjusting to life as the reigning queen barely a week after her victory.
Since emerging as the winner of the competition organised by House of Twitch, Samuel’s schedule has been filled with media appearances, interviews and public engagements, giving her an early taste of life beyond the pageant stage.
Describing the experience so far, she said life had been exciting, although keeping up with the activities had sometimes felt overwhelming.
“Life has been great. Congratulations left and right. It’s been a lot of programmes to attend, media tours and everything happening all at once, so it has been a little overwhelming. Nevertheless, it’s been a fun experience,” she said.
For Samuel, one of the biggest adjustments has been understanding that the crown comes with expectations beyond simply winning a competition.
She explained that people now expect to see a different side of her, one that reflects the responsibilities and expectations of being a queen.
Although she believes she has always been a queen mentally, she acknowledged that she still has a lot to learn, particularly in developing maturity, self-control, maintaining composure and carrying herself gracefully.
She also joked about how much smiling comes with the role, saying her cheeks almost felt glued to a smile.
Her new position has also introduced her to more opportunities to speak publicly and connect with people. She has already appeared on Yanga FM alongside Miss Ideal Nigeria and is scheduled to appear on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 2, as part of her media engagements since winning the crown.
These experiences, she said, have helped her understand how she responds to pressure, improve her ability to answer questions and become more confident when speaking before an audience.
Beyond personal development, Samuel sees her new platform as an opportunity to inspire other young girls.
She said she wants to go beyond telling young girls that they can achieve their dreams by becoming an example through her own character and actions.
“Being a queen isn’t just about wearing a crown, but about being a kind, graceful and confident person within. You too can be queens in every single area of your life,” she said.
Speaking about the responsibilities that come with the title, Samuel explained that her role involves attending important events in Lagos and pageants, representing the House of Twitch royals and maintaining the confidence and elegance expected of her position.
She also highlighted the importance of expressing her opinions and showing kindness and generosity, describing these qualities as part of the character she hopes to embody.
Looking ahead, Samuel said she intends to put herself out there more, pursue her interests in modelling and acting, and create meaningful impact among young girls.
She also revealed plans to give back to the community through her upcoming Girlhood Foundation, which she said is open to sponsorship from interested supporters.
On the attention that has followed her victory, Samuel admitted that she did not know what to expect. However, she has been particularly grateful for the support of people who knew her before the competition and have watched her journey.
She described their reactions as touching, especially knowing that people who believed in her are happy to see her achieve something she had worked towards.
The public’s interest has also been encouraging, as she sees it as an opportunity to connect with people who want to hear her thoughts and follow her journey.
For Samuel, that attention reflects something she has always hoped to achieve: using her voice to motivate others and make a positive impact.
With her reign still in its early days, the new Miss Nigerian Teen says she looks forward to showing the public what she hopes to accomplish.
