Meet the queen who wants to be prime minister

Nineteen-year-old United Kingdom-based Nigerian is the current Queen of Miss Nigeria UK pageant. Being a beauty queen at age 19 is not the only thing that makes Oluwateniola Sarayi Elegbede special. This beauty queen desires to become a Prime Minister someday. In this chat with EVELYN OSAGIE, she speaks on her dreams for Africa and more. 

How does it feel being Queen of Miss Nigeria UK?

I feel I’m only starting to take on the role, title and the realisation that I am Miss Nigeria UK because, of course, back in the UK, there is the pandemic. And all I’ve really been doing are online events at home; so I haven’t really embraced the idea of me being queen. But as of recent, especially being in  Nigeria, going to radio and TV stations and doing newspaper interviews, it’s started to dawn on me: “Teni, you are actually Miss Nigeria UK 2020!” (Laughs.)

It’s very exhilarating. I feel very powerful. And it feels amazing.

Being a teenager, how has been the experience?

Honestly, it’s hard. I have people, younger than me and my age that look up to me. I can relate with them being a teenager myself and at the same time; and I am not too young to do the same with people older than me. So, it isn’t easy being in the middle ground, but I’m trying my best.

After I was selected, my anxiety levels were high. I was the youngest and I was so nervous. I have grown since then. But I remember telling myself that I have to be  at my best. It wasn’t easy at all: there were tears but I’m glad I saw it through because I wouldn’t be where I am today.

How was the process like? But how was the online pageantry without the glitz and glam associated with such events due to the pandemic?

It was very different. I had never taken part in any beauty pageant in my life. This was my very first in which I have come to be crowned the queen. The most I’ve come to be crowned queen was winning my Prone queen title in my secondary school. And to come in as a beauty queen not under normal circumstances but under the pandemic, was like “What am I even doing; what do I expect and what’s going to happen?”

But they were very straight with us from the beginning to tell us what was going to happen, that it would be different because there’s a pandemic. They made sure we knew all the process and we might not be able to finish the competition because of it.

From there, I went in thinking, “I just have to try my best”. I didn’t  know how it was going to end up – whether I would win or not or halfway through they’d say, ‘we can’t finish the competition because of COVID-19’. I still went in thinking, regardless of what happens, I’m going to try my best.

And despite that it was later streamed online, they still made sure we did our walking. That, for me, was so hard because before the pageant, I was such a tomboy and even still a bit of one now. I do not know how to walk with heels: I didn’t like them. Even the ones I’m wearing now I didn’t like them, but I had to wear them.

‘’So, we were taught what it takes to be a real beauty queen, but because of the pandemic, other preceding sessions before the grand finale were held at the founder’s house; where we were given diverse training on communication, etiquette, catwalk, dance, etc.

‘’As I’ve said, it was not an easy journey. I had to travel a long way from home to attend the rehearsals. In the beginning, it was also very confusing, but in the end, I got a wind of it all and it was all worth it. And I am grateful for the experience.

Was it your life-long dream to go into modelling, pageantry and be crowned queen some day?

Not in the slightest. Now that I have done one I feel like this is where I was meant to be. It feels right. And I see myself doing more pageants and modelling. I remember when I was around five; I told my mum that I was going to be the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Thereafter, while growing up, I had all kinds of jobs I wished to be when I grew up, yet, never did I once think I would become pageant queen. But everything I had wanted to do before hand, whether a prime minister, a lawyer and a doctor, was being in a position of helping people.

You seem to have a desire of touching lives. How do you intend to bring it into your role as pageant queen?

I started a charity when I was 17 called “Evolve”: and it’s one I’ve decided to devote my life. The aim is to gradually develop Africa (one country per time). And being a Nigerian, I want to start with my homeland. And to do that I’d like to battle on poverty, economic and education inequality, clean water and sanitation. It’s a tall dream that I know I can’t achieve all by myself; which is why I am so happy I have such a supportive family and friends behind me. I have so many people that I know would help me achieve all that I dream. One of the reasons I established it was because I feel there is so much hurting in Africa. Looking at what is happening in many people lives across the globe, I just feel so humbled that I am doing well at home. While I am there, complaining about little things on a daily basis; people are going through so much, especially in Africa.  So, I want to give back and help where I can. There are many charities out there but I feel there’s still place for me to come in, do my own work and help in any way I can. And that’s my main project.

Where are you starting from?

Currently, I’m looking for sponsors to help kickstart it. I’d like to build schools and public toilets and ensure the sewage systems are well covered to prevent air pollution. I also like to offer unpaid internships and apprenticeships so that people can  learn new skills and give back to their communities.

What words do you have for the young?

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that we have to find new ways to do old things. For me, this means there is nothing stopping you. If people have been able to pursue their passion and careers despite the pandemic, you can too. I pride myself of my resilience. People may reject you or say no to you, but just have to keep going.