Samuel Chinemerem Nwajagu is the first African to win the Mister International title in the pageant’s 16-year existence, marking a historic turning point for African involvement in international pageants.
In July, the well-known Nigerian model won the title of Mister Nigeria 2024, earning him a place in the international competition in Thailand, which drew 47 men from around the globe.
The trailblazer also won the swimsuit category, a noteworthy accomplishment given that no African candidates had made it to the finals in the pageant’s last five years.
The 23-year-old will succeed Thailand’s Thitisan Goodburn after beating out finalists Nguyễn Mạnh Lân from Vietnam and Glenn Victor Sutanto from Indonesia.
Nwajagu expressed excitement on Instagram, saying, “To have made history as the first African to win the Mister International title is an incredible honor. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of not just myself but also my team and supporters. It’s also a reminder that anything is possible, regardless of your background or circumstances. I hope my win will inspire others to chase their dreams and never give up on their aspirations.”
Nwajagu revealed that he has always found pageantry fascinating, particularly “the impact that titleholders can have on their communities.”
“However, I never thought I would have the opportunity to participate in one, let alone win,” he said. “It wasn’t until I was encouraged by friends and family that I decided to take the leap and pursue my dream.”
The Mister International pageant, founded in 2006 by the late Alan Sim, the founder of Mister Singapore, now welcomes participants from an average of 38 nations each year.
Nwajagu said he found the Mister International pageant online and was immediately drawn to its mission and values, which, according to its website, “prioritizes giving back to our communities through an international platform of charitable partnerships. As leaders and role models, our delegates and titleholders create positive change by volunteering, fundraising, and advocacy.”
In keeping with this, Nwajagu will engage in a variety of charitable and promotional initiatives during his reign.
He told Okay Africa, “I’m excited to see what’s in store. As Mister International, I plan to use my platform to advocate for health and well-being. I also hope to inspire young people to pursue their passions and never give up on their dreams.”
Before Saturday’s competition, he had won many accolades in his home country. In his capacity as Mister International Nigeria, he worked with renowned brands such as Veejayrex Fashion, Tice Grandiose, and Zhalima Grazioni, showcasing his wide range of skills as a model and his dedication to advancing Nigeria globally, according to NYCaribNews.
With this most recent victory, Nwajagu joins Chidimma Adetishna, another Nigerian contender who made history by placing first runner-up in the 2024 Miss Universe competition.
According to The Guardian Nigeria, Nwajagu holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and works as a software engineer, demonstrating a balance of education and career.
He hopes to create a lasting legacy of his own. He declared, “My goal is to make a positive impact on the world.”
