Singer, actress and entrepreneur Anita Osikweme Osikhena has officially entered the race for Miss Universe Nigeria 2026, becoming the first aspirant to publicly release an introductory video and confirm her candidacy for the national crown.
Osikhena, who hails from Edo State, announced her bid through a polished video statement in which she leaned heavily on her advocacy work around mental well‑being and self‑worth.
“I am so honoured to be on this journey towards becoming Miss Universe Nigeria,” the 27‑year‑old said. “Some of the greatest battles that people face today are the ones no one can see — self‑doubt, emotional pain, loss of identity. Many suffer in silence, feeling unseen, unheard and alone.”
That conviction, she explained, led her to found the Osikwemen Foundation and launch the Mindset Shift series, a safe space designed to help people embrace healing and step into purpose.
She promised that, if elected, she would expand the initiative across the country, with a long‑term goal of visiting a thousand schools to spark conversations around self‑worth and self‑dignity.
“This is more than a crown. It is a calling — to serve, to inspire and to remind people that transformation is possible,” she added.
Edo's Anita Osikhena launches massive bid for Miss Universe Nigeria 2026
Osikhena is no stranger to the pageant stage. She represented Edo State at Miss Nigeria 2019, finishing as third runner‑up, and has since built a multi‑layered career as a recording artist, model and actress, with a feature in the Nollywood film The Island among her credits.
She also holds an MBA and a degree in banking, a profile pageant watchers say positions her well ahead of the approaching state screenings.
Her entry officially fires the starting gun for the 2026 Miss Universe Nigeria season. The eventual winner will represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant later this year.
