Danielle Adewusi, representing Lagos State, has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 after competing against 19 other contestants at the national finale in Lagos.
The event took place on Sunday, 27 September, at Balmoral Hall in Victoria Island. Adewusi secured the title after the competition was narrowed to five finalists representing Cross River, Ekiti, Edo, Lagos and Delta states.
According to Silverbird, the pageant organiser, she spoke during the final question-and-answer round about using her platform to make a positive difference. Guy Murray-Bruce, Silverbird Group president and national director of Miss Universe Nigeria, presented her with the crown.
Who finished behind Adewusi?
Anita Osikhena of Edo State was named first runner-up, followed by Myya Jones of Cross River State in second place. Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti State finished third runner-up.
Melissa Toghanro, representing Delta State, was fourth runner-up. She also received the Miss Supranational Nigeria title and is expected to represent the country at that international competition.
Osikhena won two other awards during the finale: the Pitch Your Dream competition and Best Advocacy Project.
Women’s health advocacy
Adewusi entered the competition with an advocacy project called Scrub the Stigma. The official Miss Universe Nigeria contestant profile describes it as an effort to improve women’s access to healthcare information and education.
Her new title gives her a larger platform for that work. It also places her on the international stage as Nigeria’s representative at the 2026 Miss Universe competition, scheduled for Puerto Rico in November.
