The beauty queen is challenging attempts to remove her from the country after authorities revoked her South African identity documents in 2024.

Johannesburg, South Africa (Running Africa) — Former Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has told a South African court that she was born in the country as she continues a legal battle against the government’s efforts to deport her.

The 25-year-old, whose father is Nigerian and whose mother has Mozambican roots, has been at the center of a highly publicized South African citizenship dispute since 2024, when authorities began questioning her nationality and the circumstances surrounding her identity documents.

Her South African identity and travel documents were subsequently revoked, setting off a legal battle that has extended beyond the beauty pageant controversy that first brought the case to national attention.

Chidimma Adetshina Challenges South Africa’s Deportation Efforts

Adetshina is contesting the government’s efforts to remove her from South Africa, maintaining that she was born there and considers it her home.

Her case returned to court as authorities continue to pursue action relating to her immigration and citizenship status.

Speaking outside court, Adetshina accused authorities of unfairly targeting her and argued that her case should be determined by the law rather than public pressure.

She also warned against allowing xenophobia and misinformation to influence the proceedings.

The government’s application seeking her detention has been postponed until February 2027, leaving the broader legal dispute unresolved.

South Africa Revoked Adetshina’s Identity and Travel Documents

Questions surrounding Adetshina’s citizenship first became a major national issue in 2024.

Authorities investigated her documentation and subsequently revoked her South African identity and travel documents.

The controversy generated intense public debate over her nationality, family background, and eligibility to identify as South African.

Adetshina’s father is Nigerian, while her mother has Mozambican roots, but the beauty queen maintains that she herself was born in South Africa.

Her legal challenge now centers on the government’s actions and her right to remain in the country.

Adetshina Arrested After Returning to South Africa

The dispute escalated further in June when authorities arrested Adetshina after accusing her of unlawfully re-entering South Africa.

She was later released on warning while the legal proceedings continued.

Authorities have sought her detention as part of the case, but that application has now been postponed until February 2027.

Adetshina continues to challenge the government’s position through the courts.

From Citizenship Controversy to Miss Universe Nigeria

The citizenship dispute initially erupted while Adetshina was competing in a South African beauty pageant and quickly became one of the country’s most closely followed cultural controversies.

She later left South Africa and entered Miss Universe Nigeria, where she won the national crown.

Adetshina subsequently represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition, finishing as first runner-up and significantly raising her international profile.

Her success, however, did not end the dispute surrounding her status in South Africa.

Protesters Demand Chidimma Adetshina’s Deportation

Adetshina’s latest court appearance has again drawn public attention, including protests from people demanding that she be deported.

The demonstrations highlight the wider tensions surrounding immigration, nationality, and xenophobia in South Africa, where migration has become an increasingly contentious political and social issue.

Adetshina has argued that misinformation about her background has contributed to hostility surrounding the case.

Her legal status will ultimately be determined through the courts rather than the competing claims surrounding the controversy.

Chidimma Adetshina Maintains South Africa Is Her Home

More than two years after questions about her citizenship first emerged, the dispute surrounding Chidimma Adetshina’s South African nationality remains unresolved.

She continues to maintain that she was born in South Africa and that the country is her home, while authorities defend their actions surrounding her identity documents and immigration status.

With the government’s detention application postponed until February 2027, the legal battle is set to continue.

Beyond Adetshina herself, the case has evolved into a wider debate over South African citizenship, immigration, and national identity — issues that remain deeply sensitive in the country.