AYV News, July 17, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture, Khadijatu Grace Kamara, has described the AYV Miss University Sierra Leone 2026 pageant as a transformative platform that elevates young women into influential ambassadors, declaring that “with the crown, you’re as important as a first lady.”
She made the remarks during the official launch of the AYV Miss University Sierra Leone 2026 pageant at The View Restaurant in Freetown, where government officials, university representatives, corporate partners, student leaders, and members of the media gathered to unveil this year’s edition of the prestigious competition.
The Deputy Minister emphasised that the pageant is about much more than physical beauty.
“To the participants of AYV Miss University, know that on this platform there is more to beauty than meets the eye. With the launch of AYV Miss University, the time is now. Embrace this opportunity because with the crown, you’re as important as a first lady,” she stated.
Organised by AYV Media Empire in partnership with the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS), Miss University has become one of Sierra Leone’s leading platforms dedicated to celebrating intelligence, leadership, academic excellence, and social impact among female university students.
Speaking at the ceremony, AYV Media Empire Managing Director Umaru Fofana said the competition is designed to produce women who will become influential voices for national development rather than simply beauty queens.
He explained that the initiative seeks to redefine traditional pageantry by placing greater emphasis on education, confidence, purpose, leadership, innovation, and community service.
“The initiative seeks to redefine conventional beauty pageantry by placing greater emphasis on purpose, education, confidence, and community impact,” Fofanasaid. “It provides young women with the opportunity to showcase their talents, leadership abilities, and commitment to positive social change while competing for the prestigious Miss University crown.”
He noted that the programme forms part of AYV Media Empire’s broader commitment to youth empowerment and leadership development, adding that participants will be encouraged to champion meaningful causes and develop practical solutions to challenges affecting their communities.
The President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS), Fiona Ngima, described Miss University as one of the country’s most anticipated student-centred events, saying it continues to inspire excellence among young women across tertiary institutions.
She urged students, universities, corporate institutions, and development partners to support the initiative.
“AYV Miss University wants a woman who knows that the crown is not just a crown but a responsibility to champion greatness,” she said.
According to Ngima, the competition is not merely about beauty but about identifying intelligent, confident, and socially responsible women capable of becoming ambassadors for education, leadership, and national transformation.
Minister of Youth Affairs Ibrahim Sannoh also pledged his ministry’s full support for the pageant, describing it as a valuable platform for youth empowerment.
Encouraging intending contestants, he said; “This is a moment to show yourselves, dust yourselves up and don’t allow yourselves to be pulled down.”
The minister stressed that pageantry has produced many successful leaders and role models around the world, noting that leadership, confidence, discipline, and service are among the qualities that define a true queen.
Providing testimony to the life-changing impact of the competition, Fatima Kamara, winner of the AYV Miss University 2023/2024 crown, recounted how the pageant transformed her life.
“Winning AYV Miss University gave me exposure, a car, and several other opportunities,” she said.
She encouraged aspiring contestants to view the competition as a platform capable of opening doors to education, leadership, professional growth, and national recognition.
Miss University Sierra Leone 2026 is expected to attract outstanding female students from universities across the country, providing them with opportunities for personal development, networking, mentorship, advocacy, and community engagement.
As preparations gather pace, organisers say this year’s competition will continue to celebrate beauty with purpose while nurturing a new generation of educated, confident, and socially responsible women committed to contributing meaningfully to Sierra Leone’s development.
