MasterChef Nigeria Launches Nationwide Search for Best Home Cook, Winner to Receive ₦73m Grand Prize

MasterChef Nigeria Launches Nationwide Search for Best Home Cook, Winner to Receive ₦73m Grand Prize

The globally acclaimed cooking competition, MasterChef, has officially debuted in Nigeria, with organisers announcing a nationwide hunt for the country’s best home cook. The winner of the inaugural MasterChef Nigeria will walk away with a staggering ₦73 million and the historic title of Nigeria’s first MasterChef.

Brought to Nigeria by African media giant Primedia, the local adaptation is set to reshape the nation’s culinary landscape by offering passionate home cooks a platform to showcase their creativity, skill and innovation on a global stage.

The show will air on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, underlining a commitment to premium local content.

The MasterChef format, created by Franc Roddam in 1990, is represented internationally by Banijay Entertainment, the content powerhouse behind globally successful franchises such as Big Brother and Survivor. The Nigerian deal was negotiated by Banijay Rights, the group’s distribution division.

Recognised by Guinness World Records as the most successful cookery show in the world, MasterChef has aired more than 700 seasons and 16,000 episodes across 72 countries, launching the careers of numerous culinary stars worldwide.

Speaking on the launch, Tamara van Eeckhoven, Managing Director of Primedia Africa, described MasterChef Nigeria as a major television milestone that will celebrate Nigeria’s vibrant food culture while discovering and nurturing the next generation of distinguished chefs.

Also commenting, Kemi Omotosho, Chief Executive Officer of Africa Magic, said the show reflects the network’s continued investment in premium local productions that project Nigerian creativity and culture to global audiences.

Sarah Mottershead, Vice President for Middle East, Africa, Israel, Greece and Cyprus at Banijay Rights, expressed pride in the format’s continued global expansion, noting that Nigerian viewers are in for a memorable culinary experience.

In the competition, diverse home cooks from across the country will battle through a series of challenges testing originality, technique, flavour mastery and presentation. Contestants will prepare both traditional Nigerian dishes and contemporary cuisine inspired by global standards. The judges — respected Nigerian chefs to be announced — will assess performances in each round, eliminating contestants until one emerges victorious.

Power Oil has signed on as the headline sponsor of the maiden edition. Adeola Amosun, Group Media Manager at Tolaram, said the partnership aligns with the brand’s commitment to quality and healthier cooking.

Entries for MasterChef Nigeria are open until February 27, 2026. Applicants must be Nigerian citizens aged 18 or older, possess a valid passport and must not have earned a living as professional chefs. Interested home cooks can apply through the official website, where full eligibility criteria and application details are provided.

With ₦73 million at stake and national recognition on offer, MasterChef Nigeria promises to usher in a new era for the country’s thriving culinary industry.