Why Mrs Grace Atinuke Oyelude, the First Ever Miss Nigeria, is Always a Queen

Beauty might be in the eyes of the beholder as some say but as others might add; when you are fine, you are fine. This is the truth about Mrs Grace Atinuke Oyelude. The first ever Miss Nigerian beauty queen.

Born in November 17, 1931, Mrs Oyelude hails from Kogi State but was born in Kano state to James Adeleye Olude and Marthan Dantu who both hailed from Isanlu in present day Kogi State.

Grandma Oyelude, now 88 won the Miss Nigeria contest in 1957 and it is worthy of note that the pageant did not include a swimsuit competition.

Miss Nigeria started in 1957 as a photo contest, whereby contestants posted photographs of themselves to The Daily Times headquarters in Lagos. Finalists were shortlisted, and successful finalists were invited to compete in the live final at the Lagos Island Club.

Mrs Oyelude represented the then Northern region of Nigeria when she was working at UAC. It had been her brother that advised her to submit her photo when he saw the advert in the Daily Times newspaper. He also sponsored her flight to Lagos for the finals of the contest.

After winning the contest, she travelled to England where she gained qualification to become a nurse. Oyelude now has many grandchildren and some chieftaincy titles.

See her photos below: