When 26-year-old Adijat Adebayo stepped into the Exquisite Queen Nigeria World 2025 competition, she wasn’t seeking sympathy. She came with a vision to challenge outdated norms in education and beauty. On March 29 at the grand finale, she walked away with the Miss Humanity crown and a renewed commitment to uplift deaf teens across Nigeria.

A graduate of the Federal College of Education, Oyo, Ms. Adebayo is deaf. She is also an animator, advocate, and founder of DEAFign Animation Academy, a budding initiative that aims to equip deaf teenagers with animation skills while producing instructional materials tailored to their academic needs.

“This achievement isn’t just my personal triumph,” Ms. Adebayo said after her win. “It’s a victory for representation and a powerful statement that diversity enriches rather than diminishes the pageant experience.”

Adijat’s journey from quiet classrooms to a national stage

Her journey began far from the runway—in classrooms where deaf children often struggle due to the absence of accessible learning tools. Frustrated by the lack of resources, Ms. Adebayo envisioned a platform where creativity could meet accessibility. DEAFign Animation Academy, her proposed social venture, was born from that desire.

The pageant, which spotlights women with a passion for advocacy, offered her a chance to bring the idea to light. Despite being the only deaf contestant, Ms Adebayo actively participated in all activities and challenges. Her project earned the Best Advocacy Award and drew praise from both judges and audience members, many of whom pledged support.

“Being selected as a contestant was a life-changing privilege,” she recalled. “What made this experience particularly valuable was the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with diverse individuals across the pageant industry – from fellow contestants to mentors and audience members.”

Campaigning for change for the deaf with a strong team

Integral to her success was the support of Lightwork Media who championed her media publicity. Ms. Rukayat Sulaimon, the media house’s campaign lead and coordinator of the When The Signs Align campaign, highlighted the pivotal role Lightwork Media played in preparing and promoting Ms. Adebayo’s participation.

“From the moment she arrived at camp, it felt surreal,” Ms Sulaimon said. “Watching her connect with other contestants and later win the Miss Humanity title validated months of work and underscored the importance of inclusion.”

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Ms. Sulaimon explained further that the “momentous win serves as a powerful validation of our ‘When The Signs Align’ campaign’s mission to promote inclusion.” She emphasised that embracing diverse beauty standards in pageantry goes beyond appearance as it represents empowerment for individuals with disabilities and underrepresented communities, shifting societal views and encouraging inclusivity, which ultimately reshapes the future of beauty and self-representation.

A platform beyond pageantry

For Ms. Adebayo, the crown is just the beginning. As she builds out DEAFign Animation Academy, she hopes to amplify awareness about the educational needs of the deaf community and help deaf teens visualize futures in tech and creative media.

“This crown represents everything I stand for, and that is compassion, inclusivity, and breaking barriers,” she said. “The journey has just begun, and I’m excited to use this platform to inspire others to pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles.”

Her story, far from being one of pity, is a testament to what’s possible when purpose meets preparation and when inclusion is not a gesture but a mission.

About Exquisite Queen Nigeria World Pageant

The Exquisite Queen Nigeria World competition is an annual beauty pageant that celebrates both the external and internal qualities of women. Contestants are chosen not only for their physical attributes but for their passion, purpose, and the causes they champion.

This year’s competition was marked by an exceptional display of diversity and inclusion, with Ms. Adebayo making waves not only for her inspiring advocacy but also for her overall performance. The event featured a series of activities that tested the contestants’ intelligence, grace, and social impact. Each contestant shared her personal mission, showcasing the substance behind each woman’s purpose.

While Adijat Adebayo took home the Miss Humanity title for her work advocating for the deaf community, the evening also crowned a new queen, Ms. Mercy Babajide, representing Ekiti State, as the new Exquisite Queen Nigeria World. With her victory, she now has the honor of representing Nigeria at the upcoming Miss Aura International 2025 pageant in Turkey this May.