Nigerian-American beauty queen Victoria Oluwakotanmi has been named Miss Grand USA 2026 in a dramatic turn of events.

The 25-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, originally finished as first runner-up at the Miss Grand USA pageant held on August 10.

However, the organisation later terminated the reign of the original winner, Mekayla Li, and elevated Oluwakotanmi to the title.

Born to Nigerian immigrant parents in Texas, Victoria proudly embraces her dual heritage. Her father pursued higher education in the United States and earned a doctorate in nursing, reflecting the family’s commitment to hard work and excellence. NigerianBusiness Directory

Before rising in the pageant world, Oluwakotanmi enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve in March 2019 as a Logistics Specialist. She has served at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, balancing military duties with her academic and personal pursuits.

She studied chemical engineering at Northwest Vista College while managing her military responsibilities. Her pageant career includes winning Miss Black San Antonio in 2020, holding the Miss Grand Illinois title, and competing in Miss Texas USA.

In honour of her late grandmother, her family established the Oluwakotanmi Promise, a foundation that provides scholarships and mentorship to young people.

As the new Miss Grand USA 2026, Victoria will represent the United States at the upcoming Miss Grand International competition. Her story of service, resilience, and cultural pride continues to inspire many across both Nigeria and the United States. (The Nation)