Lagos State representative, Danielle Adewusi, has emerged as Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 after beating 19 other contestants at the grand finale of the national pageant in Lagos.

Adewusi was crowned on Sunday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, following weeks of competition that featured camp activities, advocacy projects, talent presentations and stage performances.

The 2026 edition brought together contestants representing different states and the Federal Capital Territory, with participants competing not only in beauty and stage presentation but also in areas such as advocacy, talent and social impact.

According to the organisers, Silverbird, Adewusi stood out during the competition through her confidence, intelligence, elegance and commitment to social causes. She eventually secured the crown after the final question-and-answer session.

She emerged ahead of Anita Osikhena of Edo, who finished as first runner-up, while Myya Jones of Cross River was named second runner-up.

Oluwafunmibi Ajaja of Ekiti and Melissa Toghanro of Delta completed the top five as third and fourth runners-up respectively.

Jones had earlier earned an automatic place in the Top Five after receiving the highest number of votes in the fast-track voting process.

Toghanro also secured a place on the international pageant circuit after emerging as Nigeria’s representative at Miss Supranational.

Osikhena was another major award winner at the event, taking home the Pitch Your Dream Competition prize of ₦1 million from Yolo Island, alongside 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 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.

With the national title secured, Adewusi will now represent Nigeria at the 75th Miss Universe Festival scheduled to hold on November 24 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Beyond the pageant, she is expected to use the international platform to promote her “Scrub the Stigma” advocacy project, which focuses on women’s health and aims to raise awareness around issues affecting women.

Her victory therefore marks the beginning of a new phase for Adewusi, as she prepares to take both Nigeria’s representation and her advocacy campaign to the global stage.