Lagos State representative Danielle Adewusi has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 after emerging ahead of 19 other contestants at the pageant’s grand finale in Lagos.
The finale was held on Sunday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, bringing weeks of competition involving camp activities, advocacy projects, talent showcases and stage performances to an end.
Adewusi secured the crown after the final question-and-answer session. According to Silverbird, the judges were impressed by her confidence, intelligence, elegance and commitment to social impact.
Anita Osikhena of Edo State emerged as the first runner-up, while Myya Jones of Cross River finished second runner-up. Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti was named third runner-up, and Melissa Toghanro of Delta finished fourth runner-up.
Jones had earlier secured an automatic place in the Top Five after receiving the highest number of votes in the fast-track voting process.
Osikhena also emerged as one of the major award winners of the night. She won the Pitch Your Dream Competition, receiving ₦1 million and a two-night, all-expenses-paid stay at Yolo Island Beach Resort. She also won the Best Advocacy Project award, which came with ₦500,000 and a one-year supply of Golden Penny products.
Toghanro, the fourth runner-up, will represent Nigeria at Miss Supranational, while other special award winners included Miss Akwa Ibom for Most Photogenic, Miss Ekiti for Miss Amity, Miss Edo for Best Evening Dress, Miss Oyo for Top Model, Miss Osun for Best National Costume and Miss Ogun for Best Talent.
Adewusi, a medical doctor and women’s health advocate, founded the “Scrub the Stigma” initiative, which focuses on women’s health education and advocacy. She previously competed at Miss Universe Great Britain in 2023, where she finished among the Top Five.
She studied Medicine at King’s College London, earning an MBBS and a first-class BSc in Psychology. Her advocacy work has focused particularly on improving awareness and access to information on women’s health.
Adewusi will now represent Nigeria at the 75th Miss Universe Festival scheduled to take place on November 24, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she will also present her “Scrub the Stigma” advocacy project.
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