Stephanie Onyekachi Okereke, now Stephanie Okereke Linus, MFR, was born in Ngor Okpala, Imo State, Nigeria on October 2, 1982. She is a model, actor, and film director from Nigeria who has won awards for her work.
She is the sixth of Mary and Chima Okereke’s eight children. She finished her basic and secondary education in Delta State before moving on to the University of Calabar in Cross River State, where she earned a degree in English and Literary Studies.
She made her debut in the movie business in 1997 when she acted in the Nollywood films Compromise 2 and Waterloo. Okereke placed third in the 2002 competition for the title of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria.
The Student and Bad Police, two short films that the actress made, were released in March 2021 as part of her campaign against gender-based violence against women.
She received the national distinction of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, from the Nigerian government in 2011.
On her way to the African Movie Academy Awards in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria in April 2005. Okereke was involved in a horrific auto accident that left her with burns all over her body and a broken leg.
Stephanie married her love, Linus Idahosa in Paris, France, in April 2012, and the couple is blessed with two children.
Much recently, Stephanie Okereke Linus was chosen as the new NOSC team’s chair after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) approved the creation of a 14-member NOSC team with some organisational changes.
Awards and recognitions
2003: What a Year Awards- Best Actress
2003: Reel Awards- Best Actress/English & Best Actress of the Year
2004: Afro-Dublin Awards- Outstanding Actress
2004: Film makers of the Nigeria- Award of Excellence
2006: Afro Hollywood Award- Best Actress
2013: Montage Africa Women of Excellence- Achievement in Drama and Entertainment
-Movie with the Best Social Media
2015: Bentovile Film Festival- Best Protagonist
-Best Actress
-Best Film
ZAFAA Global Awards -Best Producer
-Best Director
2015: 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards- Best Overall Movie Africa
2016: Pan African Fil Festival- Programmers’ Award Narrative Feature
-Best Actress in Leading Role
-Best Overall Movie
2016: DALA Awards- Face of Nollywood (Female)
2017: Truth Awards- Best Supporting Actress
