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MasterChef Nigeria Launches, Offering N73m Prize

Published

4 months ago

February 16, 2026

MasterChef Nigeria debuts, offering N73m prize to winner and celebrating the country’s culinary talent. Entries close 27 February 2026

The globally renowned cooking show MasterChef has officially arrived in Nigeria. Brought to the country by African media company Primedia Africa, MasterChef Nigeria is the inaugural local adaptation of the iconic reality television franchise, aiming to transform the Nigerian culinary landscape and elevate the profiles of home cooks with creative flair.

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According to a statement from Primedia Africa, the winner of MasterChef Nigeria will take home N73 million and make history as the world’s first-ever Nigerian MasterChef.

Entries for the competition are open, with the submission deadline set for 27 February 2026.

MasterChef Nigeria will air on DStv’s Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family.

The show is part of the global MasterChef franchise, represented internationally by Banijay Entertainment, which also produces series such as Big Brother and Survivor.

The Nigerian deal was brokered by Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay Entertainment.

Created by Franc Roddam and first launched in 1990, MasterChef has showcased culinary talent in over 70 countries, earning recognition from Guinness World Records as the most successful cookery show worldwide, with more than 700 seasons and 16,000 episodes aired.

“MasterChef Nigeria is a major Nigerian television milestone that will celebrate the country’s exquisite cuisine, innovative food culture, and vibrant culinary traditions as never before, whilst unearthing, mentoring and nurturing talent with the potential to become Nigeria’s next generation of distinguished chefs,” said Tamara van Eeckhoven, Managing Director at Primedia Africa.