Temitope Adebayo
MasterChef Nigeria has formally entered the Nigerian media and entertainment market with the unveiling of its judges and confirmation of key commercial partners, signalling strong investor and brand confidence ahead of its first season.
The announcement was made at a media briefing held in Lagos, reinforcing the city’s position as a strategic hub for premium content production and creative enterprise within Africa’s expanding entertainment economy.
Produced by Primedia Group, the show represents Nigeria’s first local adaptation of the globally successful MasterChef franchise. Industry stakeholders view the project as a strategic expansion of lifestyle and food-based television content, with strong cross-sector appeal cutting across media,
FMCG, hospitality, and advertising.
The producers confirmed Chef Eros and Chef Stone as co-judges for the debut season. Chef Eros, founder of several food ventures including Cooking Jar and Ìlè Eros, is widely recognised for repositioning Nigerian cuisine for contemporary and global audiences. Chef Stone, founder of Red Dish Culinary School, brings extensive experience in culinary education, kitchen leadership, and food entrepreneurship. Their selection signals a strong focus on credibility, skills development, and industry depth.
On the commercial front, Power Oil has been unveiled as the headline sponsor, while Sonia joins as tactical sponsor. Additional supporting brands include Indomie, Malta Guinness, Coca-Cola, and Flour Mills of Nigeria, reflecting rising corporate interest in content-driven brand engagement within Nigeria’s food and consumer goods sectors.
The winner of MasterChef Nigeria will receive a ₦73 million grand prize, positioning the programme among the highest-rewarded unscripted television formats in the Nigerian market. The show will air on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, ensuring broad continental reach and strong advertiser visibility.
With its blend of entertainment, talent development, and integrated brand partnerships, MasterChef Nigeria is expected to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s creative economy while expanding the commercial value of food and lifestyle programming.
The debut season premieres on April 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
