The kitchen is set, the stakes are high, and the journey to culinary greatness is about to begin for the ten diverse home cooks competing for a staggering N73 million prize on MasterChef Nigeria.

Not only will this dynamic mix of contestants from across the country showcase their passion for food and exceptional talent on the life-changing cooking show, but they will also make television history as the first-ever group vying for the coveted MasterChef Nigeria title.

The much-anticipated inaugural season of MasterChef Nigeria, the local adaptation of the world’s most renowned television cooking competition format, will premiere exclusively on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family on Sunday, April 26, at 7 pm.

Although united by a shared ambition to shine on the country’s biggest new culinary stage, these ten home cooks bring a tapestry of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences to the kitchen – each shaped by personal journeys that influence how they cook, create, and connect through food, while also showcasing Nigeria’s richness and gastronomic heritage.

The MasterChef Nigeria contestants are:

• David Emmanuel (24, Magboro) – A content creator whose humility and determination are shaping an extraordinary culinary journey.
• Demi Akingbe (30, Ikoyi) – An entrepreneur and food content creator bringing an eclectic style, creative flair, and visually striking dishes.
• Derry Nnonyela (29, Ikeja) – A finance admin coordinator whose passion for food is rooted in heritage and fuelled by ambition.
• Fads Segun (29, Lagos) – A renewable energy expert whose cooking style is modern and health-conscious, combining fresh ingredients with purposeful intention.
• Favy Bessan (26, Shomolu) – A content strategist whose cuisine reflects her fearless, imaginative, and deeply driven character.
• Isabella Adediji (38, Ikeja) – A managing director and seasoned media personality, ready to tell Nigeria’s story through her cuisine.
• Loye Oyedotun (31, Abuja) – A corporate lawyer who cooks with confidence and heart—bold in his choices, driven to grow, and determined to make every dish count.
• Margaret Akpan (42, Lagos) – A domestic staff member grounded in tradition, driven by purpose, and inspired to uplift others through soulful food.
• Pearl Agbajem (30, Lekki) – A cloud kitchen manager cooking towards a brighter future with love and resilience.
• Preye Fadase (34, Lagos) – An entrepreneur and food vendor whose vision, discipline, and deep respect for tradition turn everyday food into memorable experiences.

As these home cooks step into the iconic MasterChef kitchen, they will face high-pressure tasks designed to test not only their cooking skills but also their resilience, innovation, and ability to rise above the heat. Their creations will be evaluated by esteemed judges Chef Eros and Chef Stone.

Viewers can expect intense challenges, unexpected twists, and dishes that push the boundaries of creativity while staying rooted in Nigerian flavours.

With its unique blend of compelling storytelling, passionate participants, and culinary excellence, MasterChef Nigeria is poised to redefine food-focused television entertainment in the country.

This world-class production from the Primedia Group is backed by prominent Nigerian brands, including headline sponsor Power Oil, alongside Indomie, Dano Milk, Malta Guinness, Sonia Tomato, Kiara Rice, Golden Penny Flour, Golden Penny Sugar, Golden Penny Garri, Golden Penny Semolina, Golden Penny Chocolate Spread, and Golden Penny Wheat.

The thirteen episodes of MasterChef Nigeria will premiere exclusively on Sundays at 7 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family (starting 26 April). Rebroadcasts will air on Wednesdays at 6 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Thursdays at 12 pm on Africa Magic Family.

By Dipo Olowookere

An ace sports journalist, Mr Temisan Okomi, has died after a brief illness, reports indicate.

The foremost broadcaster with Classic FM Lagos was said to have passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Friday.

Before his demise, he was active on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, commenting on the UEFA Champions League match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, and even reposted a post from Classic FM.

His sudden death has thrown the sporting community in Nigeria into mourning, as he was very active and friendly with many of his professional colleagues.

According to reports, the deceased, a die-hard Arsenal fan, became sick midweek but breathed his last at the weekend.

The cause of his death has not been known as of the time of filing this report, but many have expressed shock over his passing.

“Temisan Okomi was full of life. He was intentional about putting young people on, and he played his part in helping to get a number of people’s careers started who have themselves gone on to do some extraordinary things.

“Life is what it is. He lived a full life and was never shy of taking a stand whenever he needed to.

“His passing comes as a rude shock. May his soul rest in peace. @temiokomi was one of us, and I wish he had stayed a little longer to witness his @Arsenal lift the EPL trophy. But God knows best,” Japhet Omojuwa said.

Mr Okomi, who graduated from the University of Uyo after finishing from the Nigeria Military School, Zaria, once presented a sports programme on LTV 8 with Mr Godwin Enakhena and Emeka Nwani.

A new kind of story is unfolding on Africa Magic Showcase, and it’s one that feels all too familiar.

Dividends, a gripping Nigerian dramedy, dives into the emotional and financial fallout of a failed Ponzi scheme, placing everyday realities at the centre of its storytelling.

Premiered on March 30, 2026, Dividends airs Mondays to Wednesdays at 8:30 PM WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (GOtv Channel 8), and is also available for streaming on DStv and GOtv Stream, making it easily accessible for viewers to follow every twist as it unfolds.

At the heart of the series is “The Golden Bars,” a too-good-to-be-true investment scheme that ultimately collapses, leaving devastation in its wake. What follows is a layered narrative that tracks the lives of three strangers brought together by shared loss of money, stability, and, in many ways, identity.

Through its characters, Dividends explores themes that resonate deeply within the Nigerian context: the lure of quick wealth, the pressure to succeed, and the quiet resilience required to rebuild when everything falls apart. It’s a story that doesn’t just entertain, it reflects.

Leading the story is Riyo David as Isa, alongside a dynamic cast including Ronnie Dikko, Omattuteejames, Cassiee_jae, Floydigbo, and Koko_ashley, each bringing depth to a narrative shaped by ambition, desperation, and consequence.

Blending drama, suspense, and social commentary, Dividends sparks conversation. As the series unfolds, viewers can expect to be drawn into a world where choices carry weight, and every decision has a ripple effect.

For audiences looking for something both engaging and thought-provoking, Dividends fast becoming one to watch.

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