Danielle Adewusi wins Miss Universe Nigeria 2026

Danielle Adewusi, who represented Lagos State, has been named Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 after beating 19 other contestants at the pageant's grand finale in Lagos.

The finale took place on Sunday at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. This event followed weeks of competition that included camp activities, advocacy projects, talent showcases, and stage performances.

Silverbird reported that Adewusi impressed the judges with her "confidence, intelligence, elegance and commitment to social impact". She secured the crown after the final question-and-answer session.

The Top 10 contestants were Danielle Adewusi from Lagos, Anita Osikhena from Edo, Myya Jones from Cross River, Melissa Toghanro from Delta, Oluwafunmibi Ajaja from Ekiti, Benedicta Iferike from Abuja, Chidinma Oluku from Abia, Precious Chinah from Rivers, Eno Idungafa from Akwa Ibom, and Edidiong Udoidua from 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 stated that Jones received the most votes in the fast-track voting process, which secured her an automatic spot in the Top Five.

Toghanro will represent Nigeria at Miss Supranational. Osikhena also had a great night, winning major awards.

Osikhena won the Pitch Your Dream Competition, earning ₦1 million from Yolo Island and a two-night, all-expenses-paid stay at Yolo Island Beach Resort.

She also took home the Best Advocacy Project award, which came with ₦500,000 and a one-year supply of Golden Penny products.

Other special award winners included:
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

Guy Murray-Bruce, President of the Silverbird Group and National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria, crowned Adewusi at the end of the ceremony.

Adewusi will represent Nigeria at the 75th Miss Universe Festival on 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.