13 things about Miss Universe Nigeria 2021 Maristella Okpala

Maristella Chidiogo Okpala represented Nigeria in Supermodel International, Miss Earth and Miss Universe. The country is home to Miss World 2001 Agbani Darego.

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BIOGRAPHY

Okpala is a Nigerian cabin crew, dental technician, model and beauty queen born and raised in Enugu State, Nigeria. She attended Peace Nursery and Primary School for her elementary education and Federal Government College for her secondary education, which are both in Enugu State, and went to the Federal School of Dental Technology and Therapy, also in the same state.

On May 9, 2025, Okpala turned 32. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. Based in Enugu State, Anne’s Couture Modelling Agency gave Okpala her first opportunity in modeling.
2. From Enugu State, she moved to Anambra State, Nigeria.
3. She is Miss Style Queen, Nigeria 2012.
4. She was a Supermodel International 2014 finalist.
5. In 2016, she became an ambassador for Nigerian fashion brand Rikaoto By Me.
6. She was a Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2017 finalist.
7. She won Miss Earth Nigeria 2018.
8. She was a Miss Earth 2018 candidate.
9. In 2019, she lived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates while working with Emirates Airline as a cabin crew member. 
10. She is Naesim International Queen of the Year 2019.
11. Amid the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, she relaunched her Pick That Plastic and Stay in School project.
12. She was MBGN 2021 first runner-up.
13. She was a Miss Universe 2021 candidate.

TIMELINE

Okpala is the eldest among four siblings. At Miss Universe 2021, she wore a national costume created by Filipino designer Kennedy Jhon Gasper.

2010s

• On January 31, 2015, she represented Nigeria at Supermodel International 2014 and competed against 30 other candidates at the Aetas Hotel and Residence Ballroom in Bangkok, Thailand. She finished in the Top 12.
• On September 15, 2017, she competed against 35 other MBGN 2017 candidates at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. She won the Miss Photogenic award and finished in the Top 15.
• On September 8, 2018, she competed against 17 other Miss Earth Nigeria 2018 candidates at Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt in Rivers, Nigeria. She won the title.
• On November 8, 2018, she represented Nigeria at Miss Earth 2018 and competed against 86 other candidates at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. She was unplaced.
• In February 2019, she started her Pick That Plastic and Stay in School project, which supports waste management and recycling while sensitizing school children to do the same.

2020s

• On September 18, 2021, she represented Anambra State at MBGN 2021 and competed against 36 other candidates at Eko Hotel in Victoria Island. She was runner-up to Oluchi Madubuike.
• On December 12, 2021, she represented Nigeria at Miss Universe 2021 and competed against 79 other candidates in Eilat, Israel. She was unplaced but she won the Best National Costume award.