Marius Musa Kargbo, AYV News September 30,2026
The race for the AYV Miss University 2026 crown is officially underway following the unveiling of eight university students who will compete for the prestigious title in a pageant designed to celebrate beauty, intelligence, confidence, talent and purpose.
The official unveiling ceremony brought together the contestants, AYV Media Empire management, pageantry professionals, media practitioners and other stakeholders as the young women were formally introduced to the public.
Representing universities from across Sierra Leone are Theresa Josephine Conteh of Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST); Grace Aliyah Bangura and Destiny Imonitie of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Sierra Leone; Winifred Samai and Dudlynette Harding of Fourah Bay College; Tick-Dankay Kamara of the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM); Mariama Neneh Kakay of the University of Makeni (UNIMAK); and Vivat Kiyamai Metnhian of Njala University.
Speaking at the ceremony, AYV Managing Director Umaru Fofana said the competition is intended to go beyond physical beauty by providing young women with opportunities to develop confidence, leadership skills and their personal brands.
“AYV Miss University is not simply about wearing a crown. It is about discovering young women with purpose, giving them a platform to express themselves and creating opportunities for them to grow.”
Fofana said AYV wants contestants to complete the journey with greater confidence and skills that can help prepare them for future opportunities.
He encouraged the contestants to embrace every aspect of the competition, noting that the platform provides an opportunity for them to represent their universities, communities and themselves.
AYV Marketing Director Daniel Moore also welcomed the contestants and urged them to remain open to the opportunities that could emerge from their participation.
“AYV celebrates young people. AYV looks for young people, and we are glad to be part of making your dreams and your tomorrow what we have always wanted them to be.”
Moore said the pageant could provide contestants with opportunities to represent their universities and potentially advance to other beauty competitions beyond Sierra Leone.
Meanwhile, AYV General Manager Mariama Ariel Kamara assured contestants that the competition would be conducted fairly.
“AYV Miss University is going to be a fair pageant. You are all going to get what you deserve.”
Kamara also announced that the eventual winner will receive a car, while the first and second runners-up will receive additional prizes.
Pageantry expert and CEO of Hawawa Modeling Agency, Hawawa Turay, encouraged the contestants to focus on impact and purpose rather than beauty alone.
She said contemporary pageantry should identify young women who understand who they are, have a clear sense of what they want to become and are prepared to serve as ambassadors.
With the eight contestants now officially unveiled, the AYV Miss University 2026 journey moves into its next phase. The participants are expected to take part in competitions, mentorship sessions, media engagements and other activities ahead of the crowning of the next Miss University.
