Lagos State representative Danielle Adewusi has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, earning the national title after competing against 19 contestants at the grand finale in Lagos.
The finale, held on Sunday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, brought several weeks of competition to a close. Contestants had taken part in camp activities, advocacy projects, talent showcases and stage presentations before the field was narrowed down to the finalists.
Adewusi ultimately secured the crown after the final question-and-answer session, where she impressed the judges with her confidence, intelligence and commitment to social impact. Silverbird, organisers of the pageant, confirmed her victory on September 28.
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Danielle Adewusi Emerges From A Competitive Finale
The competition featured representatives from 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with contestants going through several stages before the final night.
The Top 10 included Adewusi of Lagos, Anita Osikhena of Edo, Myya Jones of Cross River, Melissa Toghanro of Delta, Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti, Benedicta Iferike of Abuja, Chidinma Oluku of Abia, Precious Chinah of Rivers, Eno Idungafa of Akwa Ibom and Edidiong Udoidua of Ebonyi.
Cross River representative Myya Jones earned an automatic place in the Top Five after recording the highest number of votes in the fast-track voting process. She eventually finished as second runner-up.
The final placements saw Anita Osikhena of Edo finish as first runner-up, Jones take second runner-up, Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti finish third runner-up and Melissa Toghanro of Delta take fourth runner-up.
The night also recognised contestants across several categories. Osikhena won the Pitch Your Dream Competition, receiving ₦1 million and a two-night stay at Yolo Island Beach Resort. She also won Best Advocacy Project, earning ₦500,000 and a one-year supply of Golden Penny products.
‘Scrub The Stigma’ Takes Centre Stage
Beyond the crown, Adewusi’s pageant journey has been closely connected to her advocacy project, “Scrub the Stigma”, which focuses on women’s health.
The initiative seeks to encourage more open conversations around women’s health while addressing stigma, misconceptions and the silence that can prevent women and girls from seeking appropriate healthcare. It also promotes health education and access to reliable information.
That focus gives Adewusi a clear area of advocacy as she begins her reign. During the final question-and-answer session, she spoke about using the platform to positively impact lives and promote meaningful change.
Her advocacy will now have an international audience. As Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, Adewusi is expected to take “Scrub the Stigma” to the global stage, using the visibility that comes with the title to continue conversations around women’s health.
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Adewusi Heads To The Miss Universe Festival
Adewusi’s next major assignment will be representing Nigeria at the 75th Miss Universe Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on November 24, 2026. The event is scheduled to take place at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.
Her international appearance will give her the opportunity to introduce her advocacy to a wider audience while representing Nigeria on one of the biggest platforms in global pageantry.
For now, Adewusi begins her reign with a national title, an advocacy project focused on women’s health and a global appearance already on the calendar.
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