Lagos State representative, Danielle Adewusi, has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 after emerging winner at the grand finale of the national pageant in Lagos.
Adewusi defeated 19 other contestants to clinch the coveted Miss Universe Nigeria crown at a colourful grand finale held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Her victory followed weeks of activities that tested the contestants across different areas, including camp activities, advocacy presentations, talent showcases, cultural displays, runway performances and other pageant-related challenges.
The 2026 edition of the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant brought together contestants representing different states and jurisdictions across the country, with the competitors seeking the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the international Miss Universe competition.
According to Silverbird, the organisation behind Miss Universe Nigeria, Adewusi distinguished herself throughout the competition with her confidence, intelligence, elegance and commitment to social impact.
The Lagos representative eventually secured the national title after the final question-and-answer session, which formed one of the decisive stages of the competition.
Silverbird reported that Adewusi’s response during the final stage earned positive reactions from the judges and audience before she was eventually crowned the winner.
The crown was presented to her by Guy Murray-Bruce, President of the Silverbird Group and National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria.
Danielle Adewusi Emerges From Final Five
The competition was narrowed down to five finalists after the contestants went through several stages designed to assess their communication skills, confidence, cultural awareness, intelligence and stage presence.
The five finalists were representatives of Lagos, Edo, Cross River, Ekiti and Delta states.
Adewusi eventually emerged ahead of her closest contenders to take the national crown.
Anita Osikhena of Edo State was named first runner-up, while Myya Jones of Cross River State finished as second runner-up.
Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti State emerged as third runner-up, while Melissa Toghanro of Delta State finished as fourth runner-up.
The final placements were confirmed by Silverbird following the conclusion of the grand finale.
Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 Final Results
- Winner: Danielle Adewusi — Lagos State
- 1st Runner-Up: Anita Osikhena — Edo State
- 2nd Runner-Up: Myya Jones — Cross River State
- 3rd Runner-Up: Oluwafunmibi Ajaja — Ekiti State
- 4th Runner-Up: Melissa Toghanro — Delta State
The result marked the culmination of a highly competitive pageant involving 20 contestants.
Top 10 Contestants
The Top 10 contestants in the 2026 Miss Universe Nigeria competition included Danielle Adewusi of Lagos, Anita Osikhena of Edo, Myya Jones of Cross River, Melissa Toghanro of Delta and Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti.
The other contestants who made the Top 10 were Benedicta Iferike of Abuja, Chidinma Oluku of Abia, Precious Chinah of Rivers, Eno Idungafa of Akwa Ibom and Edidiong Udoidua of Ebonyi.
The Top 10 stage preceded the final rounds that produced the five finalists.
Cross River representative Myya Jones also secured an automatic place in the Top Five after recording the highest number of votes in the fast-track voting category.
The fast-track voting process provided another route for contestants to advance in the competition, with Jones emerging as the contestant who received the highest number of votes in that category.
Adewusi’s Women’s Health Advocacy Project
Beyond winning the crown, Adewusi is expected to use her platform to promote her advocacy work, particularly her campaign known as “Scrub the Stigma.”
The initiative focuses on women’s health, with an emphasis on improving awareness, encouraging conversations around women’s health issues and challenging stigma associated with accessing healthcare.
Silverbird said Adewusi would take the advocacy project to the international stage following her victory in the Nigerian competition.
Her background in medicine also forms part of her profile as the newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria.
According to PUNCH, Adewusi studied Medicine at King’s College London, where she earned an MBBS as well as a first-class Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
Her interest in women’s health advocacy was influenced by her experience during medical training, including an Obstetrics and Gynaecology rotation.
Adewusi previously competed in the Miss Universe Great Britain pageant in 2023, where she finished among the top five finalists before entering the Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 competition. (Punch Newspapers)
Her combination of medicine, advocacy and pageantry has consequently become a major part of the story surrounding her emergence as Miss Universe Nigeria 2026.
Anita Osikhena Wins Multiple Awards
Although Anita Osikhena of Edo State did not win the main crown, she was one of the major award winners at the grand finale.
Osikhena emerged as first runner-up and also won the Pitch Your Dream Competition.
For the Pitch Your Dream award, she received ₦1 million from Yolo Island, alongside a two-night, all-expenses-paid stay at Yolo Island Beach Resort.
She also won the Best Advocacy Project award, for which she received ₦500,000 and a one-year supply of Golden Penny products.
Her performance throughout the competition earned her several recognitions despite finishing behind Adewusi in the final standings.
Other special award winners included Miss Akwa Ibom, who won Most Photogenic; Miss Ekiti, who won Miss Amity; and Miss Edo, who won Best Evening Dress.
Miss Oyo won the Top Model award, Miss Osun won Best National Costume, while Miss Ogun won Best Talent.
Delta Representative to Compete at Miss Supranational
The grand finale also produced another major international representation for Nigeria.
Melissa Toghanro of Delta State, who finished fourth runner-up in the Miss Universe Nigeria competition, was selected to represent Nigeria at Miss Supranational.
Her selection gives her the opportunity to represent the country at another international beauty pageant.
Toghanro’s recognition was among the highlights of the grand finale as several contestants secured different awards and opportunities despite not winning the main Miss Universe Nigeria crown.
Adewusi to Represent Nigeria in Puerto Rico
As Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, Adewusi will now represent the country at the international Miss Universe event.
Silverbird said she is scheduled to represent Nigeria at the 75th Miss Universe Festival, which is set to take place on November 24, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The international appearance will give Adewusi an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s culture and representation on the global pageant stage while also presenting her advocacy work to an international audience.
Her “Scrub the Stigma” initiative is expected to form part of the platform she carries into the international competition.
The Miss Universe Nigeria crown therefore represents more than the conclusion of the domestic pageant for Adewusi, as her victory has opened the way for her to compete internationally on behalf of Nigeria.
Guy Murray-Bruce Crowns New Miss Universe Nigeria
The new queen was officially crowned by Guy Murray-Bruce, President of the Silverbird Group and National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria.
The grand finale brought the 2026 competition to a close after weeks of preparation, training, advocacy activities and performances by the contestants.
The pageant also provided a platform for contestants from different parts of Nigeria to showcase their talents, personalities, cultural identities and advocacy interests.
Adewusi’s victory now places her at the centre of Nigeria’s representation in the upcoming international Miss Universe competition.
The 2026 pageant also highlighted the growing role of advocacy in beauty competitions, with contestants being judged not only on stage presentation but also on their ability to communicate ideas and promote causes.
For Adewusi, her medical background and women’s health advocacy are expected to remain central to her activities as she begins her reign.
A New Chapter for Miss Universe Nigeria 2026
Danielle Adewusi’s emergence as Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter in her pageantry career.
Having previously competed internationally, the Lagos representative now has another opportunity to represent Nigeria, this time as the country’s official Miss Universe Nigeria titleholder.
Her immediate focus will shift from the domestic competition to preparing for the international stage in Puerto Rico.
With the national crown secured, Adewusi will carry both the Miss Universe Nigeria title and her women’s health advocacy message into the next phase of her pageant journey.
The Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 grand finale thus concluded with Adewusi taking the main crown, Osikhena finishing as first runner-up, Jones as second runner-up, Ajaja as third runner-up and Toghanro as fourth runner-up.
The result officially makes Danielle Adewusi of Lagos State the Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, with the new queen set to represent Nigeria internationally later this year.
