Shatu Sani Garko (born 23 November 2003) is a
Nigerian model and beauty queen who was crowned the 44th
Miss Nigeria
Miss Nigeria is an annual pageant showcasing positive attributes of Nigerian women and awarding university scholarships. The winner portrays exemplary qualities and serves as a role model for young women in the country. The pageant is currentl ...
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
In modern usage, hijab ( ar, حجاب, translit=ḥijāb, ) generally refers to headcoverings worn by Muslim women. Many Muslims believe it is obligatory for every female Muslim who has reached the age of puberty to wear a head covering. While ...
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
In modern usage, hijab ( ar, حجاب, translit=ḥijāb, ) generally refers to headcoverings worn by Muslim women. Many Muslims believe it is obligatory for every female Muslim who has reached the age of puberty to wear a head covering. While s ...
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
BBC Hausa is the Hausa language service of BBC World Service meant primarily for the Hausa-speaking world in Nigeria, Ghana, Niger and the rest of Hausa speakers in West Africa. It is part of BBC foreign language output of 33 languages, of whi ...
, 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.
Hisbah to Grill Shatu's Parents
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References
{{Reflist
Nigerian female models
People from Kano State
Miss Nigeria winners
2003 births
Living people