Political Geography in Abuja’s hosting bid of Miss World 2002

• In Event: 156 - Section on Global and Transnational Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 03. Cultural Politics and Media Framing

Abstract

This paper examines the attempted hosting of the 2002 Miss World beauty pageant to deepen understanding of the cultural politics of location. I detail how support and opposition to the pageant partly drew on debates surrounding the political geography of Abuja, the intended host city. The contest was eventually shifted to London due to protests. Through the lens of this cultural event I examine how the choice of Abuja as the host city reveals broader political tensions within the Nigerian nation.

Author

• Oluwakemi M. Balogun, University of Oregon