Today we’re chatting with Nyakoat Dojiok from Victoria, one of 28 remarkable women vying for the Miss Universe Australia 2026 crown, to be decided on August 26 at Palladium, Crown Melbourne. In a first for the pageant, this year’s national final will be broadcast live nationally on the Seven Network.
So Nyakoat, why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
I’m Nyakoat, mostly known as Nike. I’m 22 and I live in Melbourne. I’m of South Sudanese heritage and born in Ethiopia. I came to Australia when I was 7 with my auntie and we lived in Adelaide. I then moved over to Ballarat to live with another auntie and uncle. Post-secondary school, I then moved to Melbourne.
Moving countries at that age does something to you. You learn pretty quickly how to walk into a room where you don’t know anyone and just get on with it. I think that’s where most of my independence comes from.
I work as a dental assistant, which surprises people. I really like it though. Most people who come in are nervous and you get to be the person who calms them down a bit. And then football. I’m a key forward at North Melbourne in the VFLW and I’m working towards an AFLW list spot. Football gave me a group of people when I needed one, so it’s never just been a sport to me.
What inspired you to take the leap and enter Miss Universe Australia?
It scared me. That’s the honest answer, and it’s most of the reason I did it.
Footy is where I’m comfortable. I know what I’m doing on the field. Standing up and talking about myself is a completely different thing and I wanted to see if I could handle it. The other reason is that I didn’t grow up seeing many girls who looked like me doing this. There are girls watching now who need to see it, and if even one of them thinks she could do it too, then it was worth putting my hand up.
As part of the program, you had the amazing opportunity to travel to Vietnam and stay at the beautiful Mövenpick Resort Cam Ranh. How was that experience for you?
I don’t think it felt real until we actually landed. Cam Ranh is beautiful. Waking up to that water every morning was ridiculous.
But what I actually took away from it was the girls. You go over barely knowing each other and you come back with real friendships. Being away from work and training and your normal routine strips a lot of the noise out, so you end up having proper conversations a lot faster than you normally would. By the end, it didn’t feel like a competition at all. It felt like a group of girls who all wanted each other to do well.
What’s one moment from the trip you don’t think you’ll ever forget?
Firstly, I don’t think I’ll forget anything the trip offered for a very long time, but if I had to say one thing, it’d have to be the schoolchildren’s art expo. The children and staff welcomed us with open arms and put on an amazing display for us all to relish. Probably one of the sweetest things was seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces. It meant the world to me because it proved that small acts of kindness bring pure joy.
As part of the trip, you also took part in your official swimwear shoot with Unnecessary. What was the experience like?
I was so nervous, and then I loved it.
As an athlete, you only ever think about your body in terms of what it can do. How far it can run, how hard you can go in a contest. Standing still and having someone photograph you is not something I’m used to at all.
But nobody made me feel like I had to be something different. I’ve got a footballer’s build—big shoulders, strong legs—and there was never any suggestion that I should hide any of it. The crew were great and it ended up being really fun. I came out of it feeling better about myself than when I walked in.
Your next question comes from our current Miss Universe Australia, Lexie Brant. What is one belief or perspective that you’ve changed your mind about recently, and what caused that change?
I always thought you had to feel confident first and then do the thing. I don’t believe that anymore.
This whole year has been me doing things I didn’t feel ready for. Entering this. Speaking in front of people. The swimwear shoot. Every single time, the confidence showed up after, never before.
What changed my mind was watching the other girls in the program. A lot of them were just as nervous as I was and they did it anyway. Once you see that up close, you stop waiting around to feel brave.
With everyone bringing their own unique flair to the program, what would you say sets you apart from the other finalists?
I’ve had to start over a few times. New country, new city, new club. I’ve had a lot of practice at being the new person and figuring out how to belong somewhere, and I think that gives me a different way of looking at things.
I also spend my week in two worlds that couldn’t be more different. Football is loud, physical, and competitive. The clinic is quiet and I’m looking after people who are scared. Doing both has probably made me a more balanced person than either one on its own would have. I don’t feel like I’m here just for me. My family and my community come with me into every room, and I like that. It keeps me honest.
What’s one skill, trip, or activity, not Miss Universe related, that you want to tick off your list before the end of 2026?
I want to take my family away on a holiday overseas.
I’ve been lucky with travel over the last couple of years, football and now this, and every time I’m somewhere amazing, I just wish they were there seeing it too. Sending photos back isn’t the same.
So that’s the one. Not me going off on my own again—all of us actually together somewhere, properly switched off. If I can get that done before the end of next year, I’ll be happy.
If you could work on any dream project, with no limits on time or resources, what would it be?
I’d start a sports and leadership academy for young women from migrant and multicultural backgrounds. Melbourne first, then hopefully everywhere.
Not only football. Coaching, strength work, media training, help with school, mentoring. So many talented girls drop out of sport between about 13 and 16, and it’s almost never because they aren’t good enough. It’s because nobody showed them the pathway, or their family didn’t know it existed, or it cost too much.
I’d make it free and I’d staff it with women who have been through the same thing. Every girl who walked in should walk out knowing she’s meant to be there.
If 2026 had a theme song, what would it be?
Personally, I think if 2026 had a theme song, it’d be “The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco.
What’s the most “you” thing currently sitting in your camera roll?
The most “me” thing currently sitting in my camera roll is random. Bright natural morning light images, always looking for a great selfie opportunity.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever ignored?
“Play it safe.” Never once taken it, never once regretted it.
What’s a completely useless or funny talent you have that you’re weirdly proud of?
A talent I’ve got that I am weirdly proud of would be the fact that I can cry on demand. It’s funny when I think about it because one moment I can be so happy, and then the next I can completely fool everyone and look so sad and distressed.
Where to Watch Nyakoat on the Miss Universe Australia National Final
The Miss Universe Australia National Final is being broadcast live on Seven Network on August 26, 2026. The live red-carpet coverage will begin at 7:00pm AEST, followed by the National Final at 7:30pm AEST on 7plus. The program then airs on Channel Seven following The Front Bar.
