Hijab model, Shatu Garko, from Kano State, has been crowned the 44th Miss Nigeria beauty pageant that was held on Friday 17th December, 2021 at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

18-year-old Garko beat 18 other contestants at the beauty pageant to become the first Hijab Pageant winner in Nigeria.

The new Miss Nigeria succeeds ex-beauty queen, Etsanyi Tukura, a native of Taraba State and the 43rd winner of 2019 Miss Nigeria contest.

“Winning this competition means a lot to me,” Garko said before being crowned Miss Nigeria. My whole life I have always wanted to be a Miss Nigeria. I’d like to thank Miss Nigeria and its sponsors. I would also like to thank mum for supporting and loving me.”

She took home the cash prize of 10 million naira, a luxury apartment, a brand new SUV car and an ambassadorship deal.

Garko loves horse riding and is passionate about proving religion and culture are not barriers to following one’s dreams and achieving whatever a person sets out to achieve.