Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, Danielle Adewusi, has arrived in Puerto Rico ahead of the 75th edition of the Miss Universe competition, where she will represent Nigeria. Adewusi announced her arrival in a statement shared on the Miss Universe Nigeria Facebook page, calling on Nigerians to support her participation in the international pageant through online voting. Photos from her arrival showed her in a burgundy and gold gown, proudly holding the Nigerian flag at the airport.

We have arrived in Puerto Rico, the statement read, adding that Adewusi was ready to represent the country on the global stage. The organisers urged Nigerians to vote for her in the Fan Vote and Beyond the Crown categories, saying the voting portal was open and that every vote counted. Supporters have since mobilised daily ballots on the official app, with Adewusi currently in the global Top 10 of the Miss Universe fan vote, a position that could secure her a guaranteed Top 30 spot.

The 75th edition of the Miss Universe competition will hold on November 24 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The event will feature contestants from up to 120 countries and territories, according to the Miss Universe Organisation. Adewusi joins over 100 delegates in San Juan for registration, fittings, and prelims ahead of the coronation night.

Adewusi, who represented Lagos State, was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 on September 27 at the Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, after defeating 19 other contestants. The finale followed weeks of camp activities, advocacy presentations, talent displays and runway performances. She was crowned by President of Silverbird Group and National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria, Guy Murray Bruce, who praised her confidence, intelligence, elegance and commitment to social impact.

Beyond pageantry, Adewusi is a medical doctor and women health advocate. She studied Medicine at King College London, where she earned an MBBS and a first class BSc in Psychology. She is also a researcher, model and musician, and previously competed at Miss Universe Great Britain in 2023, where she finished among the Top Five contestants. She has also served as a UN Women UK delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women.

Her victory also continues a family pageant legacy that began with her mother, Tonia Okogbenin, who won Miss Universe Nigeria in 1991. Adewusi will take her advocacy initiative, Scrub the Stigma, a project focused on creating awareness around women health issues, to the global stage. The project is expected to form a central part of her representation in Puerto Rico, as she uses the platform to advance conversations on issues affecting women and girls.

With her arrival in Puerto Rico, attention now turns to the preliminary rounds and the fan vote. Nigerian fans at home and in the diaspora are expected to intensify their voting and social media support in the days leading to November 24. For Adewusi, the competition is not only about the crown, but about projecting Nigeria culture, excellence and advocacy on one of the world biggest stages.