The new Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 is Danielle Adewusi, a medical doctor and women’s health advocate, who entered the competition with a background that extends beyond pageantry.
Adewusi studied Medicine at King’s College London, where she earned an MBBS and a first-class BSc in Psychology.
In an interview with Punch before the competition, she said her experience during medical school shaped her interest in combining medicine with women’s health advocacy.
She said an Obstetrics and Gynaecology rotation made her more aware of the barriers women face in accessing healthcare and motivated her to work beyond treating individual patients.
She told Punch before the competition that pageantry was not initially her main focus, despite growing up with an appreciation for it because of her mother.
“My priority was excelling in school, studying Medicine and becoming a doctor,” she said.
She later realised that pageantry could bring together her interests in medicine, women’s health advocacy, modelling and public speaking.
(Photo: Pageantry Moments)