Miss Lagos Danielle Adewusi was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 on Sunday night, September 27, 2026. Her victory at the event, held in Lagos, makes her Nigeria’s official representative at the global Miss Universe pageant later this year in Puerto Rico.
Adewusi’s win is especially remarkable because of the family legacy behind it. Thirty-five years ago, in 1991, her mother, Tonia Okogbenin, held the same national title. She represented Nigeria on the international stage. Now, a generation later, her daughter has followed in her mother’s elegant footsteps.
Who Is Danielle Adewusi?
Danielle Adewusi is a medical doctor, model, founder, and public speaker. She openly spoke about her ambition months before the final. She said in an earlier interview that she hoped to win Miss Universe Nigeria “like my mum.” 
Adewusi described the journey as meaningful, particularly because it came 35 years after her mother’s reign. She noted that her mother never gave her specific pageantry tips, but instead raised her and her sisters to be confident and comfortable in their own identity.
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The Winning Question and Answer
Representing Lagos State, Adewusi impressed judges across the preliminary rounds and final stages with her poise, intelligence, and stage presence.
During the final stages of the competition, she was asked how she would use her platform to champion national unity and project Nigeria’s cultural diversity on the global Miss Universe stage.
She replied:
“Good evening. I would represent Nigeria with pride. I am proud to come from one of the most diverse nations on the planet, with so many rich cultures and traditions.
I am a proud Yoruba and Edo woman who often gets mistaken for and embraced by Igbo people and has a deep love and respect for my brothers and sisters in the North and all over Nigeria. That is Nigeria, and I would represent Nigeria with pride, purpose, and excellence. Thank you.”
The official Miss Universe Nigeria account announced her victory with the words:
“MEET YOUR MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA 2026! The crown has found its queen… Meet the woman who will carry the name, spirit and pride of Nigeria onto the global stage.”
Miss Universe 2026 first runner-up was Miss Edo Anita Osikhena, while Miss Cross River Myya Jones took second runner-up.
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Her Mother, Tonia Okogbenin
Adewusi’s mother, Tonia Okogbenin, a former Nigerian beauty queen, also represented Lagos State during the era when the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant selected the country’s Miss Universe delegate. She finished as first runner-up at the MBGN competition, while Adenike Oshinowo finished as overall winner.
However, Oshinowo withdrew from an international modelling event, so Okogbenin stepped in to replace her. Hence, Okogbenin held the Miss Universe Nigeria title for 1991.
She competed at the Miss Universe 1991 pageant, held on May 17, 1991, at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, she was not among the finalists.
Thirty-five years later, Danielle Adewusi will now prepare to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe 2026, carrying both a national crown and a family legacy.
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