Nike Oshinowo

Oshinowo was raised in Ibadan and England, where she attended boarding school. Although she had intended to become an air hostess or a doctor, she studied Politics at the University of Essex. Shortly after obtaining her degree, Oshinowo, mentored by former Miss Nigeria Helen Prest-Davies, represented Rivers at the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant and became its first Yoruba winner (she was crowned in 1990, but reigned through 1991).[5] Her victory attracted controversy from the audience and showbiz journalists following rumours the contest was rigged in her favor. Towards the end of her reign Oshinowo, in an interview with a soft-sell magazine, attempted to squash the gossip by stating Prest-Davies had no hand in her MBGN victory.

After her reign which saw her compete at Miss World, Oshinowo featured in a commercial for Venus de Milo cream and lotion, and hosted a fashion and beauty show on Nigerian television. Her business ventures included an African restaurant and Skin Deep, a health and beauty spa[6] which ran for seven years before it was sold after she decided to create her own range of beauty products for the Nigerian market.[7][8] On January 17, 2010, she released the workout video Nike Oshinowo: Fit, Forty and Fabulous - the first celebrity fitness DVD produced in the country - and is currently working on the beauty products which will include fragrance, skincare, and haircare.[4][9]

In 2010, after a six-year attempt, Oshinowo finally bought the Miss Nigeria franchise from former organisers Daily Times, and became chief executive and creative director of the pageant.[4][10][11] As of 2012, she is no longer in charge,[12][13] but is now working on another pageant in which the winner will reign for a hundred years.[14]

In 2014, Oshinowo launched her talk show Late Night with Nike Oshinowo on AIT.[15]

Oshinowo, who speaks five languages (English, Yoruba, Japanese, Spanish, and French), married medical doctor Tunde Soleye in 2006,[16][17] but the couple are now divorced.[18] In 2009, the couple were in the news following a lawsuit instituted by Soleye's ex-wife Funmilayo, who claimed that he had been unfaithful with Oshinowo during their marriage.[19] In 2013, she spoke of her struggle with endometriosis which has plagued her since boarding school by age 13,[20] and at the age of 47 she became the mother of twins via surrogacy in America.[1]

Alfred, Lanre (24 July 2010). "A Queen in a New Light". ThisDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 31 May 2012.