Aspiring beauty queen Dr Danielle Adewusi aims to follow in her mother's footsteps by claiming the Miss Universe Nigeria title.

Dr Danielle Adewusi, a medical doctor, model, and public speaker, as well as a Miss Universe Nigeria contestant, shares her story, including her career and the legacy of her mother, who won Miss Universe Nigeria thirty-five years ago.

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Adewusi reveals that growing up, she had an appreciation for pageantry due to her mother, but her main focus was on excelling in school and studying medicine to become a doctor, with pageantry not being her primary goal until later in life.

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It was during medical school that Adewusi had a moment of reflection, realizing that she didn't have to choose between her passions, including medicine, women's health advocacy, and modeling, as they could all coexist under the platform of Miss Universe.

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This realization led Adewusi to decide to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria, not for the crown, but to represent her country and champion women's health, creating meaningful change for women and girls in Nigeria and beyond.

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The fact that her journey coincides with the 35th anniversary of her mother's representation of Nigeria was never planned, but it has made the experience even more meaningful for Adewusi.

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When asked about the pressure of continuing her mother's legacy, Adewusi expresses that she doesn't feel pressured, having complete confidence in God's plan for her life, which gives her a sense of peace and trust that she is exactly where she is meant to be.

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Adewusi's mother taught her and her sisters to be confident, unapologetic, and unique, and to stand up for injustice, which has been the greatest preparation for her journey, including her participation in Miss Universe Nigeria.

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Her mother also encouraged Adewusi to be confident in her appearance, teaching her to stand tall and see her height as an advantage, and to never try to fit in, but to stand out.

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Adewusi decided to enter Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 after achieving important milestones in her medical career and foundation, Scrub The Stigma, and after praying about the decision, knowing the timing was right to use the platform to amplify her work in women's health.

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For Adewusi, medicine and pageantry are not separate worlds, but different platforms to pursue the same purpose of creating meaningful change in the lives of women and girls, with Miss Universe Nigeria providing an opportunity to represent her country and champion women's health.

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Adewusi intends to use the Miss Universe Nigeria platform to make women's health impossible to ignore, focusing on women's health education and improved access to healthcare, and expanding her Educate Programmes to reach more states and partner with individuals and organizations.

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Adewusi advises young women to understand that they don't have to choose between intelligence and beauty, or between a successful career and pursuing pageantry, and that they can use their unique gifts and talents to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

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Adewusi prepares mentally and physically for Miss Universe Nigeria by prioritizing self-care, including sleep, exercise, and nutrition, and by journaling and praying, which gives her peace and reminds her of her purpose.

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As a former United Nations Women United Kingdom delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women, Adewusi learned that the challenges facing women are global and require a collective response, with solutions tailored to specific communities, but with a shared responsibility to improve the lives of women and girls.

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During medical school, Adewusi's Obstetrics and Gynaecology rotation made her realize the scale and complexity of the barriers women face in accessing healthcare, determining her to become a doctor who listens to and advocates for her patients, and to work beyond the hospital walls to improve women's health.

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Adewusi identifies a lack of education as the single biggest barrier to women's healthcare, requiring education not only for women and girls but also within healthcare itself, to provide equitable care that understands the cultural, social, and economic factors shaping a woman's health.

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Adewusi's charity, Scrub The Stigma, began as a fundraising event for organizations supporting women affected by domestic abuse and other issues, and has since grown into a foundation providing educational programs and healthcare initiatives, including the Educate Lagos program.

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The Educate Lagos program, which Adewusi is particularly proud of, educated over 150 girls about menstrual health, providing them with resources and interactive workshops, and making them feel cared for and valued.

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As a classically trained pianist and cellist from the Guildhall School of Music, Adewusi believes that music has taught her discipline, consistency, and patience, qualities that have shaped her approach to medicine and advocacy, and reminded her that individuality is a strength in creating change.

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Adewusi's long-term vision is to become a global champion for women's health, using medicine, advocacy, and public platforms to improve the lives of women and girls, and to work alongside governments and global organizations to shape policies and conversations that improve women's health outcomes.