Danielle Adewusi wins Miss Universe Nigeria 2026
*Danielle Adewusi
Abimbola Joseph
Lagos State representative Danielle Adewusi has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 after emerging as the winner at the pageant’s grand finale in Lagos.
Adewusi defeated 19 other contestants at the ceremony held on Sunday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.
She emerged after weeks of competition involving camp activities, advocacy projects, talent showcases and stage performances.
According to Silverbird, Adewusi impressed the judges with her confidence, intelligence, elegance and commitment to social impact before securing the crown after the final question-and-answer session.
The final results saw Anita Osikhena of Edo emerge as first runner-up, while Myya Jones of Cross River finished second runner-up. Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti and Melissa Toghanro of Delta were third and fourth runners-up respectively.
Jones had earlier secured an automatic place in the Top Five after receiving the highest number of votes in the fast-track voting category.
Toghanro was also selected to represent Nigeria at Miss Supranational.
Osikhena won the Pitch Your Dream Competition, receiving ₦1m from Yolo Island 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.
Other special awards went to contestants from Akwa Ibom for Most Photogenic, Ekiti for Miss Amity, Edo for Best Evening Dress, Oyo for Top Model, Osun for Best National Costume and Ogun for Best Talent.
President of the Silverbird Group and National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria, Guy Murray-Bruce, crowned Adewusi at the close of the ceremony.
Adewusi will represent Nigeria at the 75th Miss Universe Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on November 24.
She is also expected to take her “Scrub the Stigma” advocacy campaign, which focuses on women’s health, to the international stage.
