For impressive performances and originality, Clara Ndubusi AKA Cla’J, Dickson Gift Kate AKA Aroma Afrik, Ahaneku Murphy Tochukwu AKA Sylvers, Oluwatosin Osinuga AKA Deversatili and Adedoyin Adefuye AKA Striitz have continued their journey to winning the N10 million grand prize at the ongoing season five of Street Foods Naija, while Kehinde Oladele AKA Taste Trails was evicted after coming last.

This year, Foodbay TV partnered with the Lagos State Government while Chef Tolani of Diary of a Kitchen Lover, Chinonso Egemba popularly known as Aproko Doctor was unveiled as judge. Enioluwa Adeoluwa is the host of the show.

Over the years, the platform has celebrated chefs such as King Glab, and Lakrim who have moved from operating in a corner to establishing centres across the country and employing hundreds of staff.

The heart of Street Foodz Naija lies in the diverse and inspiring stories of contestants. Each participant brings a unique narrative to the table, often rooted in deep personal connections to street food.

Speaking during Naija to the CEO and Co-Founder, Foodbay Tv, Creator of Street Foods Naija, Oluwafemi Ogundoro, said: “This is the fifth season of Street Foodz Naija and it has been fantastic. Street Foodz Naija is not just for entertainment, it is a lot about value creation. Picking young people from the streets, giving them hope, elevating them, and empowering them in a way that they can transform our nation and ultimately the world. And this season has taken us beyond what we could even think of.

“What we doing here is called Naija To The World. We started by having regionals; from the Northern region to the South-South, Southeast, and Southwest and we selected 18 contestants. And those contestants made it to the main show and in weeks, we have seen a number of these guys go through a series of tasks. Those guys are being adjudged by professionals like Chef Tee who is a resident judge, Opeyemi Famakin, one of Nigeria’s biggest food critics, Kunle Remi, an actor, and White Money. We have seen a lot of these people including the commissioner for youths and social development in Lagos, Mobolaji Ogunlende.”

“Now we have five contestants who are to prepare meals, not only for Nigeria but those outside Nigeria because one of the key goals of Footbay TV is for us to be able to take this beyond the sure of Nigeria and that is why we have Naija to the World which is promoting food tourism in Nigeria.

The finale of the competition is to be held on December 1, 2024, while the winner gets N10 million and a culinary sponsorship from the Hospitality Business School (HBS).

On his part, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, commended the contestants for their creativity.

“For me why I am here and why the ministry is partnering is because the vision of our administration is ultimately to leave no one behind. We have several youths in several industries doing things. For me as a commissioner, I am aware of this calibre of youth and the least I can do is to show up, support, encourage, and where possible partner.