Lagos State representative Danielle Adewusi has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 after emerging ahead of 19 other contestants at the grand finale held in Lagos.
The finale took place on Sunday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, bringing weeks of competition involving camp activities, advocacy projects, talent presentations and stage performances to a close.
Adewusi secured the national title after progressing through the final stages of the competition and impressing the judges during the final question-and-answer session. The organisers highlighted her confidence, intelligence, elegance and commitment to social impact as part of the qualities that stood out during the competition.
The new queen brings a medical and advocacy background to the title. She studied Medicine at King’s College London, earning an MBBS and a first-class BSc in Psychology, and has developed a particular interest in women’s health.
Adewusi is also the founder of Scrub The Stigma, an initiative focused on women’s health education and advocacy. The project has been used to promote conversations around menstrual health, access to healthcare information and other issues affecting women and girls. Her advocacy formed part of her campaign during the Miss Universe Nigeria competition.
Her victory also carries a family connection to Nigerian pageantry. Her mother, Tonia Okogbenin, held the Miss Universe Nigeria title in 1991, giving Adewusi an unusual connection to the national crown more than three decades later. Adewusi had previously spoken about wanting to follow a similar path while establishing her own career in medicine and advocacy.
Adewusi was not new to pageantry before winning the Nigerian title. She previously competed at Miss Universe Great Britain in 2023, where she finished among the Top Five contestants. She later entered the Miss Universe Nigeria competition after establishing herself professionally in medicine and women’s health advocacy.
The final results placed Anita Osikhena of Edo State as first runner-up, Myya Jones of Cross River as second runner-up, Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti as third runner-up and Melissa Toghanro of Delta as fourth runner-up.
Osikhena also received the Best Advocacy Project award, while contestants from other states won special awards including Most Photogenic, Miss Amity, Best Evening Dress, Top Model, Best National Costume and Best Talent.
As Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, Adewusi is expected to represent Nigeria at the 75th Miss Universe Festival scheduled for November 24 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She will also take her Scrub The Stigma advocacy project to the international platform.
Her immediate task will now shift from winning the national competition to preparing for the international pageant, where she will represent Nigeria alongside contestants from other countries.
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