Meet Triona Uwem: An Author, Speaker Turning Pageantry into Purpose

By Salami Adeyinka

For Triona Uwem, beauty pageants were never the final destination. They were a stepping stone to a life of purpose. The Akwa Ibom-born author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur has transformed the lessons from national and international stages into platforms for empowerment, mentorship, and storytelling.

Uwem’s literary works, including the novel Adventures of Relviana and the poem I Want to Be a Queen, explore themes of resilience, ambition, and self-discovery, resonating with readers across Nigeria and beyond. Alongside her writing, she delivers keynote speeches through Queenspiration with HRH, her motivational brand, impacting countless lives with practical insights and inspiration.

Her accolades in pageantry are impressive: Miss Tourism Nigeria 2014, Miss Nigeria 2015, Face of Africa 2016 (2nd Runner-up), Miss Goodwill Ambassador 2016, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2017, and Miss Earth Nigeria 2020. These titles have helped her platform reach wider audiences, yet Triona emphasises that real achievement lies in service and influence beyond crowns.

“Focus first on impact, not applause,” she advises. “Speak from your experiences, stay authentic, and never stop learning. Consistency and a genuine desire to serve people will catapult you to heights you never imagined.”

Uwem also shares personal guidance drawn from her life philosophy: “When life offers you a lemon, you have two choices: either lick it like that or make a refreshing lemonade drink and enjoy it with a smile. And if life doesn’t offer you a seat at the high table, hew your own wood and make a towering table with extra chairs.”

Beyond writing and speaking, Uwem runs Lick Fingers, a successful business venture, and continues to expand Queenspiration with HRH, fostering growth, mentorship, and empowerment.

Indeed, her journey exemplifies how discipline, creativity, and purpose can transform a career into a platform that inspires communities, proving that pageantry can indeed become a calling.