Lagos State representative, Danielle Adewusi, has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, emerging winner after competing against 19 other contestants at the grand finale in Lagos.
The finale was held on Sunday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, following weeks of competition featuring camp activities, advocacy projects, talent showcases and stage performances.
According to PUNCH, citing 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.
Edo representative Anita Osikhena emerged as the first runner-up, while Myya Jones of Cross River finished as second runner-up. Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti and Melissa Toghanro of Delta completed the top five.
Jones had earlier received the highest number of votes in the fast-track voting process, earning an automatic place in the Top Five.
Toghanro was selected to represent Nigeria at Miss Supranational, while Osikhena won the Pitch Your Dream Competition and Best Advocacy Project award.
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.
President of the Silverbird Group and National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria, Guy Murray-Bruce, crowned Adewusi at the end of the ceremony.
Adewusi will 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, which focuses on women’s health, to the global stage.