MasterChef Nigeria Unveils Judges, Sets N73m Prize for First Season

MasterChef has officially launched in Nigeria, with organisers announcing a top prize of N73 million for the winner of the first season and confirming two judges to lead the competition.

At a press briefing, showrunner Niyi Oyedeji said the Nigerian edition was designed to project the country’s food culture to a wider international audience while creating commercial value around local culinary talent. He said the programme is intended to show that Nigerian cooking can hold its own on major global food platforms.

Oyedeji named Chef Stone, founder of Red Dish Chronicles Culinary School, and Chef Eros, founder of Cooking Jar, as judges for the debut season. He said both chefs were selected because of their track records and visibility in the food industry, adding that their experience would shape the standard expected from contestants.

He said MasterChef Nigeria was not being positioned as just another television show, but as a platform to celebrate Nigerian cuisine and spotlight local creativity in a competitive format. According to him, this edition places Nigeria within a franchise that already runs in about 70 countries and 200 territories.

The organisers said entries opened for three weeks and have now closed, with strong participation from applicants across the country. After screening, between 10 and 15 contestants are expected to make the final cut for the 13-episode season.

The season is scheduled to premiere on 26 April 2026 on Africa Magic Family and Africa Magic Showcase. Tolaram Group and Sonia Foods were announced as headline sponsors.

Oyedeji said participants will move through multiple selection stages, including video submissions and live cook-off rounds. The format, he said, is meant to combine technical training, pressure testing and on-screen storytelling that can keep viewers engaged while still rewarding skill.

Under the prize package, the eventual winner will receive N73 million, be crowned the first MasterChef Nigeria champion, and gain international exposure with mentorship opportunities tied to the franchise.

The judging panel said they plan to combine encouragement with strict scoring standards. They added that the objective is to identify contestants who can grow from home-cooking backgrounds into professionals capable of competing at higher levels.

Organisers also said the programme could open wider opportunities for food entrepreneurs, content creators, and hospitality operators by increasing interest in Nigerian ingredients, recipes and culinary techniques. They noted that a successful first season would help build a stronger pipeline of chefs and food businesses with export and tourism potential.

With auditions completed and broadcast plans in place, the Nigerian adaptation now moves into production as the 71st version of the MasterChef franchise worldwide.