Adarju Usman Jilantikiri of Adamawa State finished as 1st Runner-Up at the maiden Miss of Nigeria 2026 pageant held on Saturday.
Adarju was one of the most consistent contestants throughout the competition. She impressed judges and audiences alike with her elegance, intelligence, and command of the stage.
The Miss of Nigeria platform was established to celebrate women who combine beauty with brains, purpose, and national representation. Adarju’s performance reflected those core values.
Although the crown went to Osun, Adarju’s placement secures her a place in the history of the pageant’s first edition.
“She competed with distinction and finished among the very best,” organisers noted.
The result is a proud moment for Adamawa State and a strong foundation for Adarju’s future endeavours.
Congratulations to Adarju Usman Jilantikiri — Miss of Nigeria Adamawa and 1st Runner-Up, Miss of Nigeria 2026.
ALSO READ: OMOKHEGBELE PRAISE OF OSUN CROWNED MISS OF NIGERIA 2026, TO REPRESENT NIGERIA IN BALI
History was made on Saturday night as Omokhegbele Praise of Osun State was crowned the first-ever Miss of Nigeria 2026.
The grand finale of the inaugural pageant ended with a double victory for Omokhegbele. In addition to the national title, she was also named Miss Interglobal Nigeria, earning the right to represent Nigeria at Miss Interglobal 2027 in Bali, Indonesia.
From the preliminary rounds to the final Q&A, Omokhegbele distinguished herself with poise, articulation, and a clear sense of purpose. Her win signals a new direction for Nigerian pageantry — one centred on leadership and advocacy.
“Miss of Nigeria was created to be more than a beauty contest,” organisers said. “It is a platform for culture, service, and impact. Omokhegbele embodies that vision.”
Over the next year, she will serve as an ambassador for Nigerian women at home before preparing to take the country’s flag to the global stage in Bali.
For Osun State, the win is a milestone. For Nigeria, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in pageantry.
