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Summary
Ten finalists of Nigeria’s first Albinism Advocacy Pageant attended a two-day bootcamp in Lagos. They were trained by professionals who equipped them with advocacy, public speaking, and stage performance skills to prepare them as powerful voices for change. The Grand Finale is set to hold on September 13, 2025, in Lagos.
In preparation for the anticipated Grand Finale of Nigeria’s first Albinism Advocacy Pageant, ten amazing finalists came together for a two-day boot camp on August 23 and 24, 2025. The boot camp sessions were designed to teach, prepare, and equip the contestants with the skills and confidence needed to step onto the stage not only as pageant queens but also as powerful advocates.
The Albinism Advocacy Pageant, organised by Misty Glam Company, goes far beyond beauty. It is about raising women with albinism to become voices for change by challenging stereotypes, tackling underrepresentation, and redefining mainstream beauty standards in the fashion and beauty industry.
The bootcamp opened on August 23 centered on advocacy and voice. From afternoon to evening, the ten finalists were engaged in lessons designed to shape them into confident speakers.
Joel Moses Babatunde, popularly known as Oga HR, led the first session on public speaking and media training. He took the women through practical drills on how to introduce themselves, how to use the SEAT method to answer “Tell us about yourself,” and how to handle interviews while staying firmly on message.
Founder of Linking Circles and a passionate albinism advocate, Elizabeth Adams, took the stage and guided the finalists through the art of turning their lived experiences into impactful advocacy. They explored personal branding, mapped out stakeholders, and began developing their own advocacy theses.
By the end of the day, each contestant had crafted a 60–90 second advocacy pitch, a short biography for press, and a polished introduction they could confidently deliver to any audience.
The following day was all about presence and performance. Pageant coach Natasha Yamala worked closely with the contestants by breaking down runway basics such as posture, pacing and turns while keeping advocacy at the heart of it all. She encouraged the use of comfortable heels, ensuring the contestants could move with ease and confidently express their advocacy on stage.
Later, the women came together for a choreography session that developed their teamwork and timing, building both confidence and stage harmony.
By the close of Day Two, the finalists had completed a mini dress rehearsal, practising everything from walking and posing to handing off the microphone. They fine-tuned stage cues and even synced music with the DJ, leaving them fully prepared for the grand finale.
The boot camp was about more than rehearsals and training. It helped the women build leadership, media confidence, and the advocacy skills they need to stand boldly for their communities. Through the process, they learned to own their voices, challenge stereotypes, and step fully into their power.
This leads to the Grand Finale on September 13, 2025, in Lagos. It will showcase the finalists’ talents and vision.
The Grand Finale will feature powerful advocacy pitches on real issues of discrimination, heartfelt performances, and the crowning of a winner whose strength lies not in beauty alone, but in her determination to advocate locally and internationally. The runway will also break barriers by featuring wheelchair models, models with vitiligo, and other unconventional talents, ensuring that the stage reflects this movement’s inclusivity.
