Nigerian celebrity chef, entrepreneur, actress, and a two-time Guinness World Record holder Effiong Bassey popularly known as Hilda Baci was on born September 20, 199 in Nsit Ubium, Akwa Ibom State. She is from the Ibibio ethnic group.

Her passion for cooking was inspired by her mother, Lynda Ndukwe, who is also a chef and ran a restaurant in Abuja, the Calabar Pot.

Growing up in Calabar with her three siblings, she was raised by her mother Lynda, who made ends meet selling ‘mama put’ – Nigerian street food. The family eventually relocated to Baci’s father is Effiong Bassey Eden.

Education: She graduated from Madonna University, Okija, with a degree in sociology, even though her heart was always in the kitchen.

Baci has openly discussed facing early struggles, including a period of homelessness, which fueled her determination.

Fame: In 2020, Baci established her restaurant and delivery business, My Food by Hilda, in Lekki, Lagos. She was the host of the television show Dine on a Budget on Pop Central TV. In 2021, she won the Jollof Faceoff competition, where she represented Nigeria. She has also appeared in several films, including A Walk on Water and Mr. & Mrs. Robert. 

Guinness World Records: She is celebrated for her culinary expertise and her ambitious record-breaking attempts.

Longest cooking marathon (2023): In May 2023, Baci gained international recognition after cooking for 93 hours and 11 minutes in a “cook-a-thon.” The record was certified by Guinness World Records. The attempt drew massive public support and inspired a trend of other endurance-based record attempts across Nigeria. Her record was later broken by an Irish chef in November 2023.

Largest quantity of jollof rice (2025): In September 2025, she achieved a new Guinness World Record for cooking the largest quantity of jollof rice. The record-breaking event, which weighed over 8.7 tonnes, was a major celebration of Nigerian cuisine.

In 2023, Baci was honored with The Future Awards Africa Young Person of the Year.

Hilda Baci’s culinary achievements have made her a global icon of resilience and a source of inspiration for many young Africans, especially women. Her efforts have not only showcased Nigerian cuisine to a global audience but have also demonstrated how passion and determination can push human limits. 

Hilda Baci Net Worth:

Hilda Baci has an estimated net worth of $500,000 US dollars that’s about ₦742 million naira. She is the CEO of “My Food by Hilda,” a premium restaurant and delivery service in Lekki, Lagos. Her restaurant is a consistent source of revenue.

While Guinness World Records does not offer cash prizes, Baci’s two record-breaking events significantly boosted her brand visibility and opened new doors for opportunities.

The fame from her cook-a-thons led to several high-profile brand ambassadorships.

Gino and Bama: In November 2023, she signed a deal with GBFoods, becoming a brand ambassador for their Gino and Bama mayonnaise products. This partnership was reportedly renewed in May 2025.

Lush Hair: In August 2025, she secured another ambassadorship deal with Lush Hair.

Real estate: Several real estate firms have gifted Baci plots of land in recognition of her achievements.

• In-Motions Business Limited gifted her land worth N3.5 million in May 2023.
• Zylus Homes allocated her a plot of land worth N30 million in March 2024.

Cooking classes: Baci has successfully monetized her cooking skills by offering culinary classes. A 2023 report mentioned a class with over 1,000 participants who paid N30,000 each.

TV and acting: She earns income as a television host and actress.

Other income streams: Before her worldwide fame, Baci revealed that she earned up to N4 million monthly as a chef, according to a 2023 Facebook post.

Personal Life:

Hilda Baci is in a relationship with music executive Damilola Akinwunmi, also known as Dapper or Dapper Damm; the CEO of Dapper Group a artist management, music distribution and entertainment company.

The couple has been together since before Hilda Baci gained international fame from her 2023 cook-a-thon. While the couple was initially private, they have recently become more public with their relationship. Baci publicly celebrated her 30th birthday in September 2025 with Dapper, affectionately sharing photos and videos of him at the party. During the birthday event, Baci was seen wearing a diamond ring, leading to speculation that the couple was engaged.

While Baci has previously stated she feels no pressure from society to get married, she has expressed a desire to marry the person she is happy with. Recent events, including her birthday celebration and the appearance of the ring, have fueled public anticipation of a future wedding.

Oghenetega Eritomi aslo known as Otega is a Nigerian chef, software developer, writer and photographer who was born on March 21, 1993, in Delta State, Nigeria. Otega graduated from the Landmark University (LMU), a private Christian university located in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.

After years as a software developer, Otega pivoted to pursuing creative passions. This career shift was a significant moment in his life, allowing him to connect with people on a more personal level through food.

As a chef, Otega focuses on Nigerian cuisine. He uses food as a way to explore memory, heritage, and culture. His cooking is central to his identity, and he has spoken about using it to “preach the gospel of Nigerian food”.

In addition to his culinary work, Otega is also a storyteller and photographer. In 2025, he served as a judge for the Little Mr. & Miss Africa Nigeria event.

Otega joined the reality TV show Big Brother Naija season 10 in 2025. He was noted for his calm presence and authenticity, earning him the nickname “King of Spices” for his skill in the kitchen.

Driven by more than fame or fortune, Otega’s decision to join Big Brother Naija season 10 reflects a profound commitment to personal growth. By deliberately placing himself in this challenging environment, he’s not only testing his resilience but also creating a powerful platform to connect authentically with others and share his compelling story with an audience eager to witness his transformation.

Since his exit from Big Brother Naija, Otega has made several media appearances, discussing his career journey from technology to the culinary arts.

Otega’s heart is finally open—he’s reached that pivotal moment where love is welcome and he’s determined not to watch the right person walk away. His Big Brother Naija introduction revealed a vulnerable side as he shared a poignant regret: he failed to fight for someone who truly mattered. Otega Eritomi has an estimated net worth of $10,000 (₦15 million naira).

Nigerian UK-based lawyer, chef, entrepreneur and philanthropist Sonia Amako better known as Big Soso was born on 30 September 1996 in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria. She is from the Hausa ethnic group.

She moved to the United Kingdom, where she studied law at University of Bedfordshire. To finance her studies while in the UK and maintain her independence, she used her culinary skills and worked as a chef.

Her exceptional blend of intelligence, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t just distinguish her—it defines her approach to every challenge and opportunity, making her an invaluable asset in any endeavor. The trained lawyer who also maintains a successful culinary business and spice brand is also the founder of a charity Syhce Foundation, demonstrating her commitment to giving back to her community.

Syhce Foundation aids girls, widows, and Northern Nigerian communities in need, with the funding coming from her cooking.

She describes herself as “funny, kind, friendly, and real,” and takes pride in her self-sufficiency.

Amako participated the Big Brother Naija reality TV show in 2025 to represent women from the north, highlighting their resilience, strength, and beauty. Her goal was to demonstrate that women can be both ambitious and successful while honoring cultural traditions.

On the show, she became known as the “5-Spice Queen” and was a memorable contestant, although her lively and straightforward nature sometimes led to confrontations with other housemates, such as Dede.

Big Soso was evicted on September 7, 2025, after a twist in the show’s format. In a later interview, she offered insight into her side of the conflicts and reflected on her experience.

Since stepping into the BBNaija spotlight as a contestant, she’s watching her social media presence blossom with new followers day by day. During the show she mentioned her relationship status; One thing about me, you’ll never find on Google is my love life. Currently, my relationship status is—I’m not married, guys.

Big Soso has an estimated net worth of $10,000 (₦15 million naira).

Cameroonian grill king, Nfor Bright Bungansa popularly known as Bright Grillzz is a celebrity chef based in Abuja, Nigeria. Fifteen years back, Brightg made the move to Nigeria.

The award-winning chef is originally from the Donga-Mantung, Northwest region, Cameroon. H is a global name and has been a favorite for top celebrities in both Cameroon and Nigeria. Superstar Davido, Regina Daniels, Teni, Patoranking , 2Face and billionaire Obi Cubana are among the big names.

Young Bright was set on being the rock for his family, so from the Northwest region he made the move to Douala the economic capital of Cameroon. It was there that he honed his skills in barbecue preparation, event planning, and other related services. By 2006, Bright had made a name for himself as one of the top grill experts in Douala.

As a kid, Bright always wanted to be a doctor. Unfortunately, life had different ideas when he lost his dad at a young age, which put his medical dreams on hold. Instead of throwing in the towel, he channeled his passion into something big. Now, he runs Bright Grillzz Global, a top-notch catering business that specializes in grilling fish and a variety of meats.

He ran into Obi Cubana while he was in South Africa grilling for an event. Bright, who has spent over a decade in Nigeria, remembered that it was his encounter with Obi Cubana in Cape Town, South Africa, that prompted him to move to Abuja. Prior to that, a lot of Nigerians in Douala had been trying to convince him to make the jump to Nigeria, claiming he could earn a lot more in his line of work.

He worked with Obi Cubana to build the Ibiza in Mararaba, close to Abuja and also trained their team on grilling. Eventually, he moved on from Ibiza and started working at Caramello Lounge in Utako. It was during his time there that he decided to go solo.

Today, Bright has caught the attention of many Nigerian celebrities and dignitaries. He boasts a diverse clientele and is known for being the first chef to grill for 5,000 people at the Ochacho Carnival in Nigeria. Bright’s journey from nothing to success is all due to his incredible roasting skills!

Bright Grillzz has an estimated net worth of about $200,000 US Dollars, that’s about ₦300,000,000 Million Naira.

Chioma Avril Rowland-Adeleke, popularly known as Chef Chi, is a Nigerian celebrity chef, social media personality, and entrepreneur who was born on April 1st, 1995, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, into a family of Seventh-day Adventists. Her father, a renowned Nigerian businessman, raised her with sisters Jennifer, a fashion designer, and Ifunanya.

She graduated from the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Babcock University in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria with a degree in Economics.

Married to Nigerian star Davido, they met at Babcock University through a mutual friend. Their relationship began in 2015, going public in 2018 when Chioma appeared in Davido’s ‘Assurance.’

The Nigerian singer proposed to her in London in September 2019. Their 2020 wedding was postponed due to Covid-19. They eventually held a traditional ceremony in November 2022 with close ones present. Davido confirmed their marriage during a March 2023 interview.

Their first child, David Adedeji Adeleke Jr., was born on October 20, 2019. Tragically, he drowned in the family’s swimming pool at their Banana Island home in Lagos, Nigeria, just days after turning three.

The couple’s story, including their engagement in 2019 and navigating personal challenges such as the loss of their son, has been a major narrative in the Nigerian entertainment scene.

Emerging from tragedy into hope, the couple welcomed precious twins—a boy and girl—just one year after their devastating loss. Their powerful moment leaving the hospital resonated with millions, becoming a viral sensation in October 2023. Beyond this remarkable chapter, Davido’s legacy already includes three beloved children—two daughters and a son—born to three different mothers.

Their “white wedding” ceremony was held in Miami, United States on August 10, 2025 for family and friends.

Chioma Rowland is widely regarded as a natural beauty with a simple, elegant style that accentuates her features. Her beauty is often discussed online, especially following high-profile events like her white wedding. Chioma’s makeup is typically understated and refined. She favors a natural, dewy finish rather than heavy, dramatic applications.

She is admired for her flawless and glowing skin, which is often showcased in photos without makeup. Her beauty is complemented by her fashion choices, which range from casual to high-end couture. Given her high profile, Chioma has attracted attention from beauty brands. Chioma Rowland-Adeleke has an estimated net worth of $5 million (₦7.5 billion naira).

Chioma successfully made several brand partnerships and launching her own culinary brand. Her success has been propelled by her culinary skills, business ventures, and strategic use of her online influence.

Some of her Endorsement Deals:

• She signed an endorsement deal with the hair brand Royal Hair Ltd. in February 2020. The deal was signed with her manager, Ubi Franklin, present.

• Chioma became the new brand ambassador for Crepaway Nigeria, a fine-dining restaurant, in February 2020.

• In June 2020, she reportedly secured an endorsement deal with Gino, a Nigerian food products brand.

• In August 2020, Chioma was officially unveiled as a brand ambassador for Payporte, a leading African fashion and lifestyle store.

• In 2021, she signed an endorsement deal with a luxury beauty brand, Hair By Jennys Glow.