In conversation with
Chioma Obiadi
Model, Interior Designer, and 40th Miss Nigeria
When Chioma Obiadi won the Miss Nigeria Competition in 2016, it opened up a whole world of possibilities. In her very words winning Miss Nigeria 'changed her life in ways she never anticipated'.
In this issue, DT NOW Magazine caught up with Chioma, engaging in a conversation about life post Miss Nigeria and the new path she is carving out for herself in the world of interior design.
Though you're no stranger, tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.
I'm Chioma Tyra Obiadi, an interior designer and model from Nigeria. I was born and raised in Lagos, although my roots are in Neni, Anambra State. As the first child and only daughter in a family of four children, I naturally grew into responsibility quite early. Looking back, I think that experience quietly prepared me for leadership long before I ever wore a crown. I attended Catholic schools throughout my primary and secondary education, where discipline, service, and integrity were values woven into everyday life. Those lessons have remained constant, regardless of where life has taken me. I later studied Geography and Meteorology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, which often surprises people. My journey has certainly taken a few unexpected turns, from becoming the 40th Miss Nigeria to building an international modeling career and, more recently, earning a Master's degree in Interior Design. Today, I divide my time between designing spaces and modeling. While they may appear to belong to different worlds, I see them as expressions of the same idea. Both are about composition, storytelling, and creating experiences that leave people feeling something long after they've left the room.
Beautifully captured. You're the 40th Miss Nigeria. How did that position impact your life, both socially and career-wise?
Winning Miss Nigeria changed my life in ways I never anticipated. Before then, I was simply a university student with ambitious dreams. Almost overnight, I found myself representing far more than myself. I became someone people looked to for inspiration, leadership, and example. That kind of responsibility changes the way you think and, more importantly, the way you carry yourself. Socially, it taught me that influence is less about visibility and more about character. People rarely remember every word you've said, but they almost always remember how you made them feel.
Professionally, the opportunities were extraordinary. I represented Nigeria internationally, worked with remarkable brands, judged pageants, spoke at events, and built relationships with people from every imaginable background. Yet if I had to choose the greatest gift the title gave me, it would be confidence. Miss Nigeria gave me permission to believe that I belonged in rooms I had once admired from a distance. Years later, that same confidence carried me across continents in pursuit of a completely new career in interior design. The crown didn't determine my future. It simply reminded me that I was capable of creating one.
This career you're building in interior design, is it a passion you've always had?
I think it has always been part of me. I simply didn't recognize it as a profession. As a child, I was endlessly fascinated by spaces. I would rearrange furniture, pay close attention to hotels and restaurants, and quietly imagine how they could feel different. I don't think I realized I was studying design. I just knew I enjoyed observing how environments influenced people. Interestingly, studying Geography and Meteorology deepened that curiosity. It taught me to think about the relationship between people and their surroundings, which, in many ways, is also what interior design is about. The turning point came during the pandemic. As the world slowed down, our homes became our offices, classrooms, sanctuaries, and gathering places. It became impossible to ignore how profoundly our environment shapes our wellbeing. People often think interior design is about selecting beautiful furniture or luxurious finishes. To me, it has always been about people. A thoughtfully designed space can encourage conversation, improve concentration, reduce stress, or simply make someone feel at ease. That's what continues to inspire me. I don't believe I'm simply designing interiors. I believe I'm designing experiences.
Designing experiences. That's a beautiful way to put it. You're studying at a very prestigious design school. How has that impacted your perception of the craft?
SCAD fundamentally changed the way I think about design. Most people view interior design from the aesthetic point of view. But this level of training has helped me understand that aesthetics is only one part of a much larger conversation. Every decision should have intention. Why does one hotel lobby immediately make you feel welcome? Why does one restaurant encourage lingering conversations while another subtly invites you to leave? Those experiences are rarely accidental. They are carefully designed. Studying design has also made me exceptionally observant, much to the amusement of my friends. We'll walk into a beautiful space and they'll be admiring the chandelier. Meanwhile, I'm wondering whether the lighting hierarchy supports the atmosphere, whether the circulation feels intuitive, or whether the proportions of the room create a sense of comfort. Once you've been trained to see design this way, it's impossible to stop noticing it. It's both a privilege and, occasionally, a rather expensive habit.
Amazing! So what should we expect from you in the coming days, both in design and your other endeavours?
Quite a bit of building. Both literally and figuratively. Now that I've completed my master's degree, I'm stepping into a really exciting chapter. The past few years have been dedicated to learning, refining my craft, and quietly building something that I'm incredibly proud of. In due time, I'll be unveiling many of the projects I've been working on, and I'm looking forward to finally sharing them with the world. Most of what you'll see from me will be centered around interior design and my mission of elevating the living experience through thoughtful, timeless, and human-centered spaces.
At the same time, I'm also reconnecting with my first love, modeling. It's a career that has shaped so much of who I am, and I'm excited to become more visible in that world again while continuing to grow as a designer. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that discovering one passion doesn't require abandoning another. I don't see modeling and interior design as competing identities. They complement each other beautifully. One taught me how to communicate visually, while the other taught me how to shape the way people experience a space. So, people can expect work that is intentional, beautifully considered, and, above all, authentic to who I am.
Well, we look forward to witnessing that. You're inarguably a fashion icon. What inspires your style and what are your top three go-to fashion items?
I've always believed fashion is another language. Long before you introduce yourself, your clothing has already said something about you. I love that fashion allows us to communicate without speaking. Over the years, my style has evolved from embracing glamour to appreciating simplicity. These days, I'm drawn to clean lines, timeless silhouettes, and pieces that feel effortless rather than overcomplicated.
As for my essentials, I'm very much a one-piece kind of girl. Give me a beautiful dress and I'm happy. I love how one well-made piece removes the guesswork and lets you get on with your day while still looking polished. The second would definitely be a great pair of heels. I've yet to meet an outfit that wasn't elevated by the right pair.
And finally, fragrance. I don't think people talk about fragrance enough. To me, it's the invisible finishing touch. You may forget exactly what someone was wearing, but you'll often remember how they smelled. A beautiful fragrance has a way of completing an entire look without ever being seen.
If you were designing your dream home, what would be some absolute must-haves?
Natural light would be non-negotiable. If the morning sun doesn't gently wake me before my alarm does, we may need to revisit the floor plan. The second would be two kitchens. I absolutely love cooking, especially Nigerian food, so my dream home would have a beautifully designed show kitchen where family and friends can gather, entertain, and share meals together. Then I'd have a separate chef's kitchen tucked away behind it for serious cooking. Anyone who has made ogbono soup or ofe onugbu knows exactly why. As much as I love those meals, I'd rather the aroma stay in the kitchen than become the signature scent of the entire house. More than anything, though, I'd want my home to feel lived in. Luxury, to me, isn't measured by square footage or price tags. It's measured by warmth. The greatest compliment anyone could give my home is that they never wanted to leave.
This has been amazing, Chioma. Thank you and we look forward to keeping in touch with you and your journey.