Onyinyechi Basil, a 25-year-old beauty queen representing Anambra State, has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2025.
The grand finale of the prestigious national pageant took place on Saturday evening in Lagos State, where Basil outshone 21 other contestants from across the country to claim the crown. She succeeds Chidimma Adetishina, who held the title in 2024.
Basil’s win marks a proud moment for Anambra State, and she will now go on to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2025 global competition later this year.
Speaking shortly after her victory, Basil encouraged young Nigerian girls to dream big while staying connected to their roots.
“I want young girls to know that they can achieve more, and still celebrate their cultural identity,” she said during her acceptance speech.
The competition featured impressive performances and glamorous appearances from the 22 finalists, but Basil stood out with her poise, confidence, and intelligence during the interview and evening gown segments.
The judges described her as graceful, articulate, and a strong ambassador for Nigerian culture on the global stage.
Following closely behind Basil was Miss Lagos, Damilola Bolarinde, who emerged as the first runner-up. Miss Bayelsa, Fortune Kurobo, was named second runner-up, while Miss Ogun, Irene Ikediashi, finished as the third runner-up.
The pageant drew a large crowd and featured performances from top Nigerian artists, as well as appearances by past queens and celebrities.
Miss Universe Nigeria is one of the top beauty contests in the country and serves as a platform for young Nigerian women to showcase their beauty, intelligence, and cultural pride. The winner also serves as a role model and advocate for youth empowerment, education, and women’s rights.
With her win, Onyinyechi Basil now begins her journey to represent Nigeria on the international stage. Expectations are high as she prepares for the Miss Universe competition, where she will compete with beauty queens from around the world.
