Danielle Adewusi, who represented Lagos State, has emerged as Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 after beating 19 other contestants at the grand finale of the pageant in Lagos.
The finale took place on Sunday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, following several weeks of competition involving camp activities, advocacy initiatives, talent presentations and stage performances.
According to Silverbird, Adewusi won over the judges with her confidence, intelligence, elegance and dedication to social impact. She ultimately claimed the title after the final question-and-answer segment.
The Top 10 finalists were Danielle 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.
Final placements
Winner: Danielle Adewusi — Lagos
1st Runner-Up: Anita Osikhena — Edo
2nd Runner-Up: Myya Jones — Cross River
3rd Runner-Up: Oluwafunmibi Ajaja — Ekiti
4th Runner-Up: Melissa Toghanro — Delta
Silverbird reported that Jones received the highest number of votes in the fast-track voting process, earning an automatic place in the Top Five.
Toghanro also emerged as Nigeria’s representative at Miss Supranational, while Osikhena was among the night’s major award winners.
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, taking home ₦500,000 and a one-year supply of Golden Penny products.
Other special award winners were:
Most Photogenic: Miss Akwa Ibom
Miss Amity: Miss Ekiti
Best Evening Dress: Miss Edo
Top Model: Miss Oyo
Best National Costume: Miss Osun
Best Talent: Miss Ogun
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.