Shatu Sani Garko (born 23 November 2003) is a Nigerian model and beauty queen who was crowned the 44th Miss Nigeria in 2021. Winning at the age of 18, she is notable for being the first Muslim to win the pageant.
Background
Garko is an indigene of Kano State, Nigeria. Although raised a Muslim, she attended a Catholic secondary school where she faced bullying. As a model, Garko was advised to ditch her hijab to succeed in the industry, which she refused.
Miss Nigeria
In 2021, Garko became the first Muslim to win Miss Nigeria in the pageant's 64-year history, and the first hijabi alongside pharmacist Halima Abubakar.
Criticism
Garko's Miss Nigeria victory was met with opposition from Hisbah, a Muslim purist group in Northern Nigeria. Hisbah criticised Garko's participation in the pageant, describing her actions as "illegal" and a bad example to young Muslim girls. In an interview with BBC Hausa, the Kano state Hisbah board chairman, Muhammad Harun Ibn-Sina, confirmed Garko's parents had been invited to a meeting with the Hisbah board for questioning.
References
- Ayeni, Tolulope (2021-12-18). "Shatu Garko biography: Profile of first hijab-wearing Miss Nigeria". Kikio. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- "18-year-old hijab model Shatu Garko wins Miss Nigeria 2021". Punch Newspapers. 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- "18-year-old Shatu Garko crowned 2021 Miss Nigeria". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- "Miss Nigeria crown dia first hijab wearing queen". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- editing (2021-12-18). "18-year-old Hijab Model Wins Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- "Shatu Garko, 18-year-old hijab model, crowned Miss Nigeria 2021". TheCable Lifestyle. 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- I Was Told To Take Off Hijab
- 18-year-old Hijab Model Wins Miss Nigeria
- Hisbah to Grill Shatu's Parents