For 126 episodes and counting, the cultural game show, Masoyinbo, dedicated to preserving and celebrating the Yoruba language, has captivated audiences and entertaining guests with its engaging challenges.

Created and hosted by Yoruba etymologist and educator, Olalekan Fabilola, the game show has continued to gain traction, attracting a diverse audience eager to reconnect with their roots. Its humorous and educational segments on Yoruba proverbs, numerals, and idiomatic expressions have made it a standout in cultural preservation.

Despite the excitement and stiff competition, no contestant has ever claimed the highly coveted N1 million grand prize; many high-profile guests, including King Dr. Saheed Osupa, Funke Akindele, Femi Adebayo, Folarin Falana (Falz), Cute Abiola, and researcher Arojinle, have attempted to master the challenge, but none have emerged victorious. The highest win to date is N250,000, achieved by Mrs. Adesola Adekunle in episode 81.

Everyday, English words, such as “Okay, Yes, But, No, Sir, So, Alright, and Now,” have proven to be the ultimate undoing of many well-versed Yoruba speakers. Even Osupa, celebrated for his mastery of the Yoruba language, met his match when he unconsciously used three English words – a common stumbling block for contestants.

Speaking of his experience, one of the contestants on the show, Dr. Adeyeri Jerry, a public relations consultant and event host, said: “I had my turn on episode 107, and while I thought I could be the one to break the jinx, I fell amazingly short.

My episode, though one of the most-discussed, stunned audiences as I breezed through Yoruba numerals flawlessly, proving that being ‘funky’—with my braids and dark shades—doesn’t mean one lacks deep cultural knowledge.”

“After 22 minutes of a strong performance laced with highly difficult questions, I slipped and cold-mixed. The word ‘No’ escaped my lips, followed by another. My fate was sealed.

“I truly thought I had it in the bag, but Masoyinbo is tougher than it looks,” I admitted with a laugh. Still, I’m honoured to have been part of this impactful show, where Yoruba excellence is celebrated in a way that is fun and engaging for all,” he added.

Adeyeri noted that the engagement his episode generated has indeed been remarkable. “Nearly 100k views on YouTube, 87k views on the EAYoruba Instagram page, one million views on the Yoruba movies recap TikTok page, 1.1 million views on their Instagram page. The Masoyinbo community continues to grow, with fans at home and abroad embracing the fun, humor, and deep cultural education the show offers,” he enthused.

For Fabilola, the show host, “The essence of Masoyinbo is not just to entertain but to educate people and make them confident in their mother tongue. I want Yoruba speakers to own their language, speak it fluently without cold mixing or code switching. The Yoruba language is rich, and we must preserve it with pride,” he said.

The self-proclaimed Oluko Yoruba bi Oba Ilu kan (meaning the legendary tutor of Yoruba language, like the king of a town), added that with the show growing influence, it has proven to be a force in cultural preservation, with guests and audiences embracing the challenge.

As the show continues to air new episodes on YouTube, with snippets shared on EAYoruba’s Instagram page and recap highlights on Yoruba Movies Recap, fans eagerly anticipate the day someone will make history. The million-naira question remains: Who will finally claim the grand prize? Until then, the search continues.