There is a story behind every crown, and for Uko Weldon Peculiar, the journey to becoming Man of Africa Nigeria 2026 is one shaped by experience, preparation, creativity and purpose. A graduate of History and International Studies from the University of Uyo, Weldon has built an impressive identity across pageantry, fashion, entrepreneurship and mentorship. His experience as a pageant coach, and trainer has given him an understanding of the discipline and responsibility that exist beyond the glamour of the stage.
Today, he takes another significant step in his journey as Man of Africa Nigeria 2026, preparing to represent Nigeria at the Man of Africa Universe competition in Ghana. But this chapter is not simply about a title. It is about preparation for a larger platform, embracing African identity, championing purposeful leadership and using visibility to inspire the generation coming behind him. Beyond the sash and the spotlight is a creative entrepreneur, mentor and advocate for youth empowerment. Through his ventures, The BEADSMITH and Weldon’s Alchemy, he continues to explore creativity and craftsmanship while building a personal philosophy centered on growth and meaningful impact.
In this exclusive interview with Fourwall Magazine, Uko Weldon Peculiar takes us behind the crown to discuss his journey in pageantry, the lessons that have shaped his evolution, the preparation required to represent Nigeria internationally, and what it truly means to become the man he hopes to be on the African stage.
Congratulations, take us back to the beginning, what first inspired you to pursue a career in Pageantry?
Thank you. My journey into pageantry started from my interest in fashion, presentation and personal development. I have always enjoyed seeing people become better versions of themselves, and pageantry gave me a platform where all of these interests could come together. Over time, I realized that pageantry was not just about looking good or being on stage. It was about confidence, communication, discipline, leadership and having something meaningful to represent. That understanding made me take it more seriously and eventually become part of the industry not just as a contestant, but also as a coach and mentor.
Before becoming Man of Africa Nigeria 2026, you were Mister Elite Nigeria Ambassador 2024. How did that experience shape the man and who you are today?
Mister Elite Nigeria was a very important chapter for me. Being crowned Mister Elite Nigeria Ambassador 2024 gave me a major opportunity to experience what it means to carry a title and represent something bigger than yourself. It also exposed me to different sides of pageantry—the pressure, the expectations, the work behind the scenes and the responsibility that comes with being seen. I grew a lot from that experience. I became more disciplined, more confident and more intentional about the kind of man I wanted to become.
Looking back, I can honestly say that Mister Elite Nigeria prepared me for this moment.
What were some of the biggest lessons you learned from your first major pageant experience that you would carry into your journey toward Man of Africa Nigeria 2026?
One major lesson is that preparation cannot be replaced by confidence alone. You can have the looks and the confidence, but if you are not prepared, it will show. I also learnt not to compare my journey with anyone else’s. Every contestant has a different story, different strengths and different challenges. So, this time, I have focused more on understanding myself, improving my weaknesses and bringing my own personality into the competition.
Most importantly, I learnt that the crown is only one part of the journey. Who you become while pursuing it matters just as much.
Pageantry is often seen from the outside as glamour and competition. What does pageantry truly mean to you personally?
To me, pageantry is a platform for growth and representation. The glamour is beautiful, of course, but there is so much more behind it. It teaches you how to communicate, how to carry yourself, how to handle pressure and how to use your voice. Personally, pageantry has helped me discover different sides of myself. It has also introduced me to people and opportunities that have shaped my journey. So, I see it as much more than a competition.
As someone who is also a pageant coach and mentor, how has your experience of training and preparing other contestants influenced the way you prepared yourself for Man of Africa Nigeria 2026?
Training other contestants has actually made me more aware of myself. When you coach someone, you are always looking at posture, confidence, communication, stage presence, grooming and even the little things they may not notice. Preparing others taught me to pay the same attention to myself. It also taught me that every contestant has a different personality. You cannot prepare everyone the same way. I have applied that lesson to myself by understanding what makes me different and allowing that to become part of my strength.
What does the title Man of Africa Nigeria 2026 mean to you beyond wearing the sash and carrying the title?
It means responsibility. I am not going to Ghana just as Uko Weldon. I am going as a representative of Nigeria and as someone carrying the name of Man of Africa Nigeria. For me, the title is an opportunity to show that a Nigerian man can be confident, cultured, creative, responsible and purposeful. I also want to use the opportunity to give the Man of Africa brand more visibility through my active engagements and show people what the platform stands for and can become.
Representing Nigeria on an international platform comes with responsibility. What aspects of Nigerian identity, culture and heritage are you most passionate about showcasing?
I am passionate about our diversity, creativity and resilience. Nigeria is made up of so many cultures, languages, traditions and talents, and I think that diversity is one of our biggest strengths. I also love the way Nigerians continue to create and succeed even when things are not always easy. I want people to see Nigeria beyond the usual stereotypes. I want them to see our culture, our creativity, our hospitality and the strength of our people.
How have you been preparing mentally, physically and emotionally for the Man of Africa competition in Ghana?
I have been trying to prepare myself as a complete person, not just as a contestant. Physically, I have been paying more attention to my fitness, health, grooming, posture and overall appearance. Mentally, I have been working on staying focused and reminding myself why I started. Emotionally, I have learnt to stay calm and not allow pressure to control me. There are days when everything may not go according to plan, but I have learnt to keep moving and trust the process.
Walk us through your preparation process. What areas have you been deliberately working on—from fitness and grooming to communication, confidence, stage presence and general knowledge?
My preparation has been quite intentional. I have been working on my fitness and physique, grooming, styling and overall presentation. I have also spent time improving my communication because I believe a man representing Africa should be able to express himself clearly.
As a pageant coach, stage presence is something I naturally pay attention to, so I have been working on my walk, posture, confidence and how I carry myself. Beyond the physical side, I have also been reading, following current issues and learning more about Africa because I want to be able to have meaningful conversations, not just look good on stage.
What has been the most challenging part of preparing for Man of Africa Universe 2026, and how have you handled that challenge?
The biggest challenge has probably been balancing preparation with everything else that comes with everyday life. There are financial responsibilities, work, personal commitments and the pressure that comes with representing a country. It has not always been easy. But I have learnt to focus on what I can control. I plan, I priorities and I keep working with what I have. My journey has taught me that sometimes you may not have everything you want at the beginning, but you can still make progress if you stay committed.
As a creative entrepreneur behind The BEADSMITH and Weldon’s Alchemy, how do your businesses and creative experiences contribute to the man you are presenting on the international pageant stage?
Creativity is a very big part of who I am. Through my creative work, especially The BEADSMITH and Weldon’s Alchemy, I have learnt patience, attention to detail and the importance of creating something with your own hands and ideas. It has also taught me entrepreneurship. You learn how to start with what you have, solve problems and keep going even when things are not perfect. I think those experiences have made me more confident in presenting myself as someone who is not only interested in fashion and pageantry, but also in creating value.
You are passionate about youth empowerment, skill acquisition and leadership development. What personal experiences inspired these areas of advocacy?
I have always believed that people need opportunities, but sometimes they also need someone to believe in them and give them direction.
Being involved in pageantry and creative work has allowed me to meet young people with talent and potential who simply need the right platform or skill to move forward. That is why skill acquisition and leadership development are important to me. I believe that when young people are given practical skills, guidance and the confidence to use them, they can become more independent and create opportunities for themselves and others.
If you are given a larger platform through Man of Africa Universe, what specific message or cause would you want people across Africa to associate with your reign?
I would want my reign to be associated with purpose, growth and opportunity. I want to encourage young people to understand that where they start does not have to determine where they end. I also want to promote practical skill acquisition and leadership because talent alone is not always enough. We need young people who are equipped, confident and ready to create solutions. I would like my reign to be a period where I am not only talking about these things, but actually creating opportunities and taking action wherever I can.
What are you hoping to learn from meeting contestants from other African countries, and what do you believe Nigeria can contribute to the wider African pageantry community?
I am looking forward to meeting people with different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Africa is very diverse, and I believe there is a lot we can learn from one another. I want to understand how other countries approach pageantry, leadership, culture and social impact.
As Nigerians, we bring our energy, creativity, confidence and ability to connect with people. Nigeria also has a very strong pageantry and entertainment culture, so I believe we have a lot to contribute to the wider African community.
Beyond winning a crown or title, what personal transformation are you hoping this journey will create in you?
I want to become a more grounded and purposeful man. I want this journey to push me beyond my comfort zone, expose me to new people and experiences and help me understand myself even better. Winning would mean a lot to me, but I also want to return from this experience with stronger confidence, better relationships, more knowledge and a clearer understanding of the kind of impact I want to make.
Finally, if you could speak directly to the young Nigerian who dreams of entering pageantry but doubts whether they have what it takes, what would you tell them from your own journey?
I would tell them not to disqualify themselves before they even try. You may not have everything figured out when you start. I didn’t either. There were times I had doubts, challenges and moments when the journey did not look the way I expected it to. But I kept learning, kept improving and kept showing up.
So, start with what you have. Work on yourself. Be willing to learn and don’t allow one setback to convince you that you are not good enough.
Sometimes the person you are today is simply not the person you will become after you give yourself a chance.