Working at the United African Company (UAC) in the 1950s, Grace Oyelude had only ever nursed one dream her entire life. But without her knowledge, in 1957, her younger brother submitted her photograph to the organisers of the inaugural Miss Nigeria pageant. When she received an invitation to compete, she travelled from Kano to Lagos, stepping into a world beyond her imagination.

On the night of the competition, she stood among the finalists, a 25-year-old woman with no formal modelling experience, facing the judges and a packed audience at the hall of the Lagos Island Club. When her name was announced as the winner, she became the first-ever Miss Nigeria, securing the crown and a £200 prize.

Oyelude saw the victory as a chance to pursue her true calling. She used her winnings to travel to England for nursing training, later returning to Nigeria for a lifelong career in public health.