Nigerian-American beauty queen, Victoria Oluwakotanmi, 25, has stepped into the spotlight after becoming Miss Grand USA 2026 under unusual circumstances.
Oluwakotanmi, who finished as the first runner-up at the Miss Grand USA pageant held on August 10, assumed the crown on Friday after the organisation terminated the reign of the original winner, Mekayla Li.
Her new title puts her on an international stage, but her journey to the crown goes beyond pageantry, with a background spanning the US military, education and youth empowerment.
Here are seven things to know about the Nigerian-American who will represent the United States at Miss Grand International.
1. Age
Oluwakotanmi is 25 years old and is from San Antonio, Texas.
She is a Nigerian-American who has spoken publicly about her Nigerian heritage and her experience growing up in a family of Nigerian immigrants.
2. Nigerian roots
Oluwakotanmi is the daughter of Nigerian immigrants who built their lives in the United States.
In a 2023 interview with KSAT 12, she revealed that her father moved to the US about three decades ago and initially worked as a dishwasher before earning a doctorate in nursing.
Her family later settled in San Antonio, Texas, where she grew up.
Her Nigerian heritage remains an important part of her identity, with Oluwakotanmi speaking about cultural representation and the experience of growing up Nigerian-American.
3. Military career
Long before she wore a pageant crown, Oluwakotanmi joined the United States Navy Reserve.
She enlisted in March 2019 as a Logistics Specialist and has been associated with the Naval Operational Support Center San Antonio at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
Her military service has also formed part of her public identity as a young Black woman serving in the US armed forces.
4. Pageant journey
Oluwakotanmi began her pageant journey with the Miss Black San Antonio competition in February 2020.
Her first competition came with little of the elaborate preparation often associated with beauty pageants. According to a US Navy profile, she wore her prom dress and did her own hair and makeup before going on to win the title.
She later held the Miss Grand Illinois title and competed in Miss Texas USA as an at-large contestant.
5. Education
Oluwakotanmi studied chemical engineering at Northwest Vista College while serving in the Navy.
Her academic background sits alongside her military and pageant careers, while education has also become an important part of the platform she promotes.
6. Foundation
In 2018, Oluwakotanmi and her family founded the Oluwakotanmi Promise, a scholarship and mentorship programme established in honour of her late grandmother.
According to Oluwakotanmi’s public accounts, her grandmother was denied the opportunity to attend college because of her gender.
The initiative was created to support young people through education, mentorship and other opportunities.
Oluwakotanmi has also shared updates about recipients of the programme, including members of its first cohort who graduated from high school in 2026.
7. Miss Grand USA 2026
Oluwakotanmi did not initially win the 2026 Miss Grand USA pageant. She finished as the first runner-up at the August 10 final, where Mekayla Li was crowned.
However, after the Miss Grand USA organisation terminated Li’s reign and released her from the title and associated duties, Oluwakotanmi was elevated to Miss Grand USA 2026.
The organisation announced her appointment on Friday, saying, “USA, meet your Miss Grand USA 2026… VICTORIA OLUWAKOTANMI.”
She will now carry the US crown and represent the country at the Miss Grand International pageant.
