Isinwa Chidozie Senator, representing Imo State, has been crowned Mr Universe Nigeria 2026 and Mr Cosmo Nigeria.

Senator emerged as the overall winner at the grand finale of the pageant held on Saturday at Skyview, The Lekki Coliseum, Lagos.

A video from the event showed the anchor announcing the Imo representative as the winner, prompting applause from the audience.

The victory earned the Senator the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Mister Cosmo International pageant scheduled to be held in Vietnam in January 2027.

As part of his prizes, he will receive a brand-new car, cash awards and other gifts valued at more than N7 million.

Senator, a fashion model and sports enthusiast, is an alumnus of Imo State University, where he previously served as Mr Imo State University.

He was also the first runner-up at an earlier edition of Misters of Nigeria before returning to win the national title.

Mr Lagos emerged as first runner-up, while Mr Edo finished as second runner-up.

In other categories, Mr Benue won the Gentlemanx Top Model title, Mr Enugu clinched Mister Tourism Africa Nigeria, while Mr Ogun was named Man of the Year.

The Mr Universe Nigeria pageant is held annually to select Nigeria’s representatives for international male pageants, with contestants drawn from different states across the country.

Senator’s victory adds to his record in male pageantry and places him among Nigerians set to compete on the international stage.

In 2025, Chidi Udengwu was crowned Mister Universe Nigeria and represented Nigeria at the international Mister Universe competition in the United States after finishing among the top six finalists at the Misters of Nigeria grand finale in Lagos. (The Nation)