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The organisers of the Miss Nigeria pageant have issued a public apology to Nollywood icon Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde following an uncomfortable moment she experienced at the 46th Miss Nigeria Patrons & Board Dinner.
The apology comes after a video from the event circulated widely online, capturing an exchange between the actress and a young presenter that many viewers described as awkward. In the viral clip, the presenter approached Omotola during a live segment and attempted to begin an interview with a question that appeared to catch her off guard.
“Alright, welcome to the 2026 Miss Nigeria dinner. I am currently living with…?” the presenter said, seemingly struggling to frame his introduction. The actress responded sharply, questioning his approach: “You are here with who? Should I tell you my name? You are not ready,” before attempting to disengage from the interaction. She was later seen granting an interview while seated.
Reacting to the incident, the Miss Nigeria Organisation released a statement on Tuesday clarifying the circumstances surrounding the encounter. According to the organisers, the presenter involved was not officially invited to the private event and had no affiliation with the media coverage approved for the evening.
“First and foremost, we wish to publicly extend our sincerest apologies to Omotola for the discomfort she experienced,” the statement read. “She is a deeply valued member of the Miss Nigeria community, a close friend of the organisation, and a woman who has spent decades paving the way for young creatives in this country. She deserves the utmost respect and care.”
The organisation explained that the Patrons & Board Dinner was designed as an exclusive, invite-only gathering, and the presence of unauthorised individuals disrupted the intended atmosphere. It noted that such situations can lead to unplanned interactions that may be uncomfortable for guests.
Providing further context, the organisers revealed that the viral footage did not fully capture what transpired. They alleged that multiple individuals had approached the actress simultaneously, invading her personal space and contributing to the tension seen in the clip.
“There were multiple individuals involved who repeatedly invaded Omotola’s personal space, making her feel deeply uncomfortable and unsafe,” the statement added. “The clip that has been shared was edited and does not reflect the full extent of what occurred.”
The Miss Nigeria Organisation strongly condemned the actions of anyone who engages guests without proper authorisation, describing such behaviour as unacceptable. It emphasised its commitment to maintaining professionalism and ensuring that all attendees are treated with respect at its events.
“It’s completely unacceptable, and we will not stand for it,” the statement continued, stressing that stricter measures would be taken to prevent a repeat of such incidents in the future.
Despite the situation, the organisation commended Omotola for her composure, noting that she remained courteous even after being put in an uncomfortable position. “Omotola was gracious enough to engage in good faith, and that goodwill was taken advantage of,” it said.
The organisers concluded by urging members of the media and the public to adhere to event protocols and respect the privacy of invited guests. They reiterated the importance of professionalism, particularly at high-profile gatherings involving prominent figures.
The incident has since sparked conversations online about media etiquette, personal boundaries, and the need for better coordination at public events.
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