Lagos State representative Danielle Adewusi has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, emerging ahead of 19 contestants at the grand finale in Lagos.
The highly anticipated pageant was held on Sunday, September 27, at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, bringing weeks of competition to a glamorous conclusion.
Adewusi impressed the judges during the final question-and-answer session, with organisers Silverbird highlighting her confidence, intelligence, elegance and commitment to social impact. She was eventually crowned by Guy Murray-Bruce, President of the Silverbird Group and National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria.
Danielle Adewusi Beats 19 Contestants
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The new queen emerged from a field of 20 contestants representing different states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The competition featured several stages, including camp activities, advocacy projects, talent showcases and other presentations designed to test the contestants’ confidence, communication skills and stage presence.
Adewusi’s victory means she will now carry Nigeria’s hopes to the international stage when she represents the country at the 75th Miss Universe Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on November 24, 2026.
Her victory also gives her an opportunity to take her women’s health advocacy work to a much larger audience.
Who Is Danielle Adewusi?
Beyond the pageant crown, Adewusi has a background in medicine, advocacy and public speaking.
The new Miss Universe Nigeria studied Medicine at King’s College London, earning an MBBS alongside a first-class BSc in Psychology.
She has developed a particular interest in women’s health and has described herself as an aspiring obstetrician and gynaecologist.
Adewusi also founded Scrub The Stigma, a women’s health organisation focused on education and advocacy in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Through the initiative, she has worked on health education programmes aimed at improving awareness around women’s health and helping young people access reliable information.
A Family Pageant Legacy
Adewusi’s victory has another special meaning because pageantry already runs in her family.
Her mother, Tonia Okogbenin, won Miss Universe Nigeria in 1991.
Before entering the 2026 competition, Adewusi had already gained experience in international pageantry. She competed at Miss Universe Great Britain in 2023 and finished among the Top Five.
In an earlier interview with The PUNCH, she explained that becoming a doctor was initially her main priority before she eventually saw pageantry as another platform through which she could pursue her interests in advocacy, public speaking and women’s health.
Top Four Contestants
While Adewusi claimed the crown, Anita Osikhena of Edo State emerged as first runner-up.
Myya Jones of Cross River finished as second runner-up, while Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti and Melissa Toghanro of Delta completed the Top Four.
Jones also secured an automatic place in the Top Five after receiving the highest number of votes in the fast-track voting process.
Toghanro will represent Nigeria at the Miss Supranational pageant.
Anita Osikhena Wins Major Awards
Osikhena was one of the standout contestants of the night despite missing out on the main crown.
She won the Pitch Your Dream Competition, earning ₦1 million from Yolo Island as well as a two-night, all-expenses-paid stay at Yolo Island Beach Resort.
She also received 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 representing Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Edo, Oyo, Osun and Ogun.
The honours included Most Photogenic, Miss Amity, Best Evening Dress, Top Model, Best National Costume and Best Talent.
Danielle Adewusi Takes the Crown
With her victory, Danielle Adewusi now moves from representing Lagos State to representing the entire country.
Her combination of medicine, public speaking, pageantry and women’s health advocacy will form part of her identity as she prepares for the global Miss Universe stage.
The 2026 Miss Universe Nigeria crown therefore marks a new chapter for Adewusi, who is set to take her “Scrub the Stigma” advocacy project and Nigeria’s name to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in November.
For the Lagos beauty queen, the journey that began with a national competition has now opened the door to an international platform.
SilverbirdTV — Danielle Fadeke-Adewusi Wins Miss Universe Nigeria 2026
